NFL Rumors: Ex-Doctor Sued For Alleged Wrongful Treatment For Junior Seau
Former San Diego Chargers doctor David Chao is in danger of permanently losing his medical license following a series of charges filed by the California state medical board against him. The medical board accuses him of gross negligence while treating now deceased NFL Hall of Famer and linebacker Junior Seau.
Among other things, Chao is being accused of prescribing medication despite not having prior examination and unprofessional behavior surrounding his treatment of Seau as the football player struggles with depression and sleep problems.
As per 10News.com, Chao reportedly wrote 14 Ambien prescriptions to Seau to deal with sleep deprivation, a year and a half following the retired linebacker's 2010 crash leading up to an unfortunate suicide.
"The use of Ambien is associated with increased incidence of impaired driving and completed suicide. It should be prescribed with caution in patients suspected of having depression or suicidal thoughts, and in the lowest effective dose," the complaint stated as quoted by New York Daily News.
In his defense, Chao rejected the accusation saying his patient had no 'depression or any other psychological issues' while under his care. Two years ago, the controversial doctor's license was suspended as per five-year probation by the state medical board following multiple issues 'substantially related to the practice of medicine and engaged in dishonest and corrupt acts' according to a report by NBC Sports.
"The accusation essentially is about record keeping issues. According to medical experts who have thoroughly reviewed the facts surrounding Seau's death, it is preposterous to think that a typical low dose prescription for Ambien caused Seau's death, which was carefully investigated by the coroner's office and determined to be unrelated to Ambien overdose or use," remarked Chao's defense attorney Robert Frank as quoted by USA Today.
"Dr. Chao and Seau were the best of friends. He never would have risked harming the best man in his wedding by providing Seau with anything but the best of care, as he had throughout his NFL career."
