“Pawn Stars’ ”Rick Harrison Says He Paid for Son Corey’s Medical Bills ‘Long Before’ His Son’s GoFundMe Launched

Corey Harrison, well-known for his role on the TV show “Pawn Stars,” has been the centre of a debate regarding financial aid following a serious motorcycle accident. His friend, Aron Chambers, recently established a GoFundMe campaign to assist Corey, who has been left with substantial medical bills following the incident in Tulum, Mexico, in late January.

The accident resulted in Corey, aged 42, suffering multiple injuries, including eleven broken ribs, a concussion, and internal bleeding. The GoFundMe page detailed the extensive treatment Corey has undergone, beginning with a 14-day stay at a hospital in Playa del Carmen. According to Chambers, the financial burden of his medical care became overwhelming, prompting the need for fundraising.

In response to the GoFundMe initiative, Rick Harrison, Corey’s father and a prominent figure in the pawn industry, publicly rejected the notion that his son required financial assistance. Rick asserted that he had already covered all of Corey’s medical expenses prior to the fundraising effort, stating, “Corey is a grown man and he will deal with his life as he sees fit.” He expressed concerns over the implications of the GoFundMe campaign, reiterating that Corey is responsible for managing his own finances.

Chambers had also described the challenges Corey faced following his hospital discharge, revealing that he was experiencing severe pain. This situation necessitated that a house doctor be called to provide additional medical treatment, including intravenous fluids and morphine. Chambers noted that Corey had been reluctant to take strong pain medication due to the traumatic loss of his brother, Adam, to an overdose in the previous year.

As Corey’s condition deteriorated, alarming health issues emerged. Chambers indicated that Corey suffered from dangerously low oxygen levels, prompting an urgent transfer to a medical facility located four hours away. There, it was discovered that one of Corey’s ribs had completely separated, pressing against his lung. His treatment involved three critical surgeries and the draining of nearly three litres of blood from his thoracic cavity, leading to an extended hospital stay lasting 18 additional days.

Upon his release, Corey faced shocking medical bills exceeding $100,000, a staggering sum that has driven the need for the GoFundMe campaign. In an effort to settle these debts, Corey reportedly depleted his personal savings and maxed out his credit cards. Chambers articulated that despite Corey’s previous fame from “Pawn Stars,” public recognition does not mitigate crises, asserting, “Being on television and part of Pawn Stars fame doesn’t come with a built-in safety net for emergencies like this.”

Corey has stated that he is no longer actively involved with “Pawn Stars” but still receives residual income from the show’s reruns. Despite ongoing recovery, Chambers highlighted that Corey lacks the strength to return to the US for further medical care. The GoFundMe has thus become an essential resource, described by Chambers as a lifeline for Corey during this trying period.

The motorcycle accident occurred just a day before Rick Harrison’s wedding to Angie Polushkin in Cancun on January 26. Corey was unable to attend the ceremony due to his hospitalisation. In an Instagram update, he informed fans of his situation, expressing that he felt “good” despite the severity of his injuries.

Rick later confirmed that he visited Corey during his hospital stay and stated his disappointment that Corey could not join in the wedding festivities. The circumstances surrounding these events underline the precarious realities that celebrities can face, illustrating that fame does not shield individuals from the harsh challenges of life, especially in times of health crises.