Giants quarterback Tyrod Taylor is suing Chargers team doctor David S. Gazzaniga and the Newport Orthopedic Institute, which he runs, for medical malpractice after suffering a punctured lung during treatment for a 2020 rib injury, per documents obtained by ESPN. Taylor is reportedly seeking $5 million in damages.
The lawsuit comes just as another Chargers quarterback, Justin Herbert, is being treated by the same doctor for fractured rib cartilage following an injury on Thursday night against the Chiefs.
Taylor punctured his lung when Gazzaniga attempted to give a pain-killing injection to his fractured ribs. The quarterback alleges in the lawsuit that he dealt with “severe physical pain resulting in hospitalization, physical therapy, emotional distress and other past pain and suffering.” His lawyers also allege that Gazzaniga’s actions caused Taylor to lose his starting job with the Chargers prior to free agency.
“As he returned to free agency, he entered as a back-up quarterback as opposed to a starting quarterback,” the lawsuit says, per ESPN. “The economic difference between a starting quarterback’s salary and a back-up quarterback’s salary is at least $5,000,000 and is more than likely much greater. The exact amount of such past and future loss is unknown to [Taylor] at this time and he will ask leave of this Court for permission to amend this Complaint to set forth the total amount when ascertained.”
Gazzaniga is also accused of medical battery because Taylor “did not have proper and accurate informed consent prior to the anesthetic injections.”
The NFLPA and Herbert’s representatives are expected to monitor how the Chargers handle their current quarterback amid his injury, per ESPN. Coach Brandon Staley has said Herbert is considered day-to-day ahead of the team’s game next week against the Jaguars.
Taylor’s current deal with the Giants includes $8.5 million guaranteed and could be worth up to $17 million over two years.