MEDICAL LICENSE DEFENSE

As a medical professional, facing a complaint lodged against you can be a career-changing event. Any disciplinary action, up to and including the suspension and revocation of your medical license, can damage your career, reputation, livelihood, and future employability. Florida Statute 458.331 defines over 50 topics that may lead to disciplinary action. Some of the more common reasons medical professionals face action may result from:

• Medical malpractice or substandard care
• Criminal charges
• Prescribing controlled substances inappropriately
• DUI
• Sexual misconduct
• Prescription fraud
• Medicare/Medicaid fraud
• Impairment matters
• Positive drug test

You worked hard to obtain your medical license. Disciplinary action against you is reported to the Federation of State Medical Boards and the national Practitioner Data Bank and is permanent. It is imperative you secure an experienced defense attorney who will fight aggressively to save your career and reputation.

Once a complaint has been lodged against you, the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) or the Board of Medicine will assign an investigator to your case to determine if there is merit to the accusation. The investigator will begin the process by sending you a letter soliciting a response. The law allows physicians 45 days and nurses 20 days to submit a response. Before submitting a response, it is important to secure legal counsel.

Contact Joe with the 850-CALL-JOE Law Firm. I am an experienced defense attorney who will work diligently to defend your medical license. I can help you determine the best course of action to minimize any damage caused by the allegations against you. I will also represent you before the medical board or administrative law judge, if necessary. Dial 850-CALL-JOE today to schedule a free consultation.

Healthcare professionals are registered and licensed through different boards dependent upon their field. Medical doctors receive their license through the Florida Board of Medicine, and any disciplinary action will proceed before this board and/or the Department of Health.

The investigation into the complaint filed against you will begin with a letter soliciting a response form the Department of Health. You are legally given 45 days to respond to this letter. I advise that you do not respond to this letter or speak to an investigator until you secure legal counsel. Any statement you make to an investigator can be used against you.

There are a multitude of reasons a complaint may be filed against you. Florida Statute 458.331 lists all viable reasons for a complaint, but the most common are:

Often in a DUI case, you are offered the option to enter the state of Florida’s impairment program. This can lead to monitoring requirements that will affect your reputation and your pocket. Without legal representation, it is ill-advised to enter into a program without first discussing your options. DUI cases can be lengthy, costly, and career-ending. If you have been charged with a DUI and are facing disciplinary action against your medical license, you need an experienced defense attorney.

Addiction is a disease that affects the general public. Doctors are not immune to its devastating effects. Substance abuse, however, can greatly impact your medical career. In most cases, you will be referred to the Professionals Resource Network (PRN). Although PRN can provide a great deal of help to those suffering from drug or alcohol abuse, this is not your only option, especially if your drug or alcohol use has not impaired your ability to practice medicine. If you have been accused of drug or alcohol abuse, secure legal counsel immediately to discuss your options.

If you test positive for controlled substances in an employment drug test, it is mandatory that you be reported to the medical board. This can result in immediate suspension of your license and deferment into a treatment program. Before entering into a treatment program or surrendering your license, contact a defense attorney. There may be other options available to you that only an experienced attorney can help you navigate.

Anytime the care of a patient results in a medical malpractice case, it is highly advised to seek legal representation. Medical malpractice litigation has reached an alarming rate. Often, it can be proven that the suit is either frivolous or unfounded. The Department of Health investigates medical malpractice complaints. Medical malpractice suits can be career-ending. The earlier you secure legal counsel, the better.

Any criminal charge may result in the suspension or revocation of your medical license. Physicians are required to report a criminal conviction in a timely manner. If you are facing a current criminal charge or are faced with disciplinary action due to a prior criminal charge/conviction, obtain an experienced criminal defense attorney.

Contact Joe with the 850-CALL-JOE Law Firm. I am an experienced defense attorney who will work diligently to defend your medical license. I can review your letter from the Department of Health, determine your options, and provide advice on how to navigate the system. I will also represent you before the medical board or administrative law judge, if necessary. Dial 850-CALL-JOE today to schedule a free consultation.

Healthcare professionals are registered and licensed through different boards dependent upon their field. Nurses—Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs), and Advanced Registered Nurse practitioners (ARNPs)—receive their license through the Florida Board of Nursing, and any disciplinary action will proceed before this board and/or the Department of Health.

The investigation into the complaint filed against you will begin with a letter soliciting a response form the Department of Health. You are legally given 20 days to respond to this letter. I advise that you do not respond to this letter or speak to an investigator until you secure legal counsel. Any statement you make to an investigator can be used against you.

There are a multitude of reasons a complaint may be filed against you. Florida Statute 458.331 lists all viable reasons for a complaint, but the most common are:

Often in a DUI case, you are offered the option to enter the state of Florida’s impairment program. This can lead to monitoring requirements that will affect your reputation and your pocket. Without legal representation, it is ill-advised to enter into a program without first discussing your options. DUI cases can be lengthy, costly, and career-ending. If you have been charged with a DUI and are facing disciplinary action against your nursing license, you need an experienced defense attorney.

Addiction is a disease that affects the general public. Nurses are not immune to its devastating effects. Substance abuse, however, can greatly impact your medical career. In most cases, you will be referred to the Intervention Project for Nurses (IPN). Although IPN can provide a great deal of help to those suffering from drug or alcohol abuse, this is not your only option, especially if your drug or alcohol use has not impaired your ability to practice medicine. If you have been accused of drug or alcohol abuse, secure legal counsel immediately to discuss your options.

If you test positive for controlled substances in an employment drug test, it is mandatory that you be reported to the nursing board. This can result in immediate suspension of your license and deferment into a treatment program. Before entering into a treatment program or surrendering your license, contact a defense attorney. There may be other options available to you that only an experienced attorney can help you navigate.

Any criminal charge may result in the suspension or revocation of your medical license. As a nurse, it is your right to request a hearing within 21 days of a suspension order. If you do not request a hearing within 21 days, it is considered a waiver of your right to a hearing and can greatly impact the outcome of your case. Before you let the nursing board determine your fate, contact an experienced criminal defense attorney to discuss your options.

Contact Joe with the 850-CALL-JOE Law Firm. I am an experienced defense attorney who will work diligently to defend your nursing license. I can help you determine your options, provide advice on how to navigate the system, and mitigate circumstances that might lessen your penalties. I will also represent you before the nursing board or administrative law judge, if necessary. Dial 850-CALL-JOE today to schedule a free consultation.

Healthcare professionals are registered and licensed through different boards dependent upon their field. Dentists, dental hygienists, dental radiographers, and other dental professionals receive their license through the Florida Board of Dentistry, and any disciplinary action will proceed before this board and/or the Department of Health.

The investigation into the complaint filed against you will begin with a letter soliciting a response form the Department of Health. I advise that you do not respond to this letter or speak to an investigator until you secure legal counsel. Any statement you make to an investigator can be used against you.

There are a multitude of reasons a complaint may be filed against you but the most common are:

Often in a DUI case, you are offered the option to enter the state of Florida’s impairment program. This can lead to monitoring requirements that will affect your reputation and your pocket. Without legal representation, it is ill-advised to enter into a program without first discussing your options. DUI cases can be lengthy, costly, and career-ending. If you have been charged with a DUI and are facing disciplinary action against your dental license, you need an experienced defense attorney.

Addiction is a disease that affects the general public. Nurses are not immune to its devastating effects. Substance abuse, however, can greatly impact your medical career. In most cases, you will be referred to a treatment program. Although these programs can provide a great deal of help to those suffering from drug or alcohol abuse, this is not your only option, especially if your drug or alcohol use has not impaired your ability to practice dental medicine. If you have been accused of drug or alcohol abuse, secure legal counsel immediately to discuss your options.

If you test positive for controlled substances in an employment drug test, it is mandatory that you be reported to the dental board. This can result in immediate suspension of your license and deferment into a treatment program. Before entering into a treatment program or surrendering your license, contact a defense attorney. There may be other options available to you that only an experienced attorney can help you navigate.

Any criminal charge may result in the suspension or revocation of your dental license along with hefty fines. Dental professionals are required to report a criminal conviction in a timely manner. If you are facing a current criminal charge or are faced with disciplinary action due to a prior criminal charge/conviction, obtain an experienced criminal defense attorney.

Dental malpractice claims generally involve allegations of negligent extractions, nerve damage, complications with anesthesia, failed implants/bridges/crowns, or preventable infection. Without a good defense attorney, a malpractice case can lead to monetary damages, license suspension or revocation, and possible the end of your dental career. If you have been accused of dental malpractice, secure legal counsel immediately.

Contact Joe with the 850-CALL-JOE Law Firm. I am an experienced defense attorney who will work diligently to defend your nursing license. I can help you determine your options, provide advice on how to navigate the system, and mitigate circumstances that might lessen your penalties. I will also represent you before the nursing board or administrative law judge, if necessary. Dial 850-CALL-JOE today to schedule a free consultation.