CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – A physician who treats many UVA athletes’ injuries, in light of the NCAA settlement and NIL situation, is wondering if doctor liability increases. Dr. Bobby Chhabra is chair of UVA Orthopedics and the orthopedics center director on Ivy Road.

“From a standpoint of care at UVA Orthopedics, you always worry when athletes are making a lot of money, if surgery doesn’t get the outcome that you want, are you going to be liable for them not being able to return to the level of play.”

He told Morning News we see pro athletes periodically file suit even if a successful surgery leaves them short of prior performance levels.

“Because of the severity of the injury, regardless of how well surgery went, you always hear about these lawsuits where pro players sue their doctor because of future earnings and they won’t be able to turn to the level they were before after they had a knee dislocation,” Chhabra said.

Dr. Chhabra notes the liability is not as high in Virginia because there are some legal protections.

“But in some states where there’s no medical malpractice caps, I think it could get very interesting in those states,” Chhabra said.