San Diego Chargers Doctor Faces a Loss of License under Medical Malpractice Law

San Diego, CAA doctor working for the NFL's San Diego Chargers is the subject of medical malpractice litigation stemming from a series of alcohol-related incidents dating back as far as 1995.

span itemprop="image" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/ImageObject" style="display:block">Dr. David Chao, an orthopedic surgeon working for the football team, has twice been arrested for driving under the influence. The arrests have provoked the state's medical board to accuse the 45-year-old surgeon of alcohol abuse and a lack of professionalism.

The complaint could result in the revocation of the doctor's license to practice medicine in California.

Attorneys representing Dr. Chao claim that the government's case is weak because it is based on an isolated incident unrelated to patient care.

"All the boards are on high alert because of the scrutiny that's been placed on the nursing board," said malpractice attorney Tracy Green to the San Diego Union-Tribune. "They are getting alert to anything with drugs or alcohol or any convictions. The boards are being more aggressive than they used to be."