Physician & Medical License Defense Lawyer Los Angeles CA

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How a Physician License Defense Attorney Can Help

Physicians enter the field with a passion and dedication to treating patients. As such, your work as a doctor is not only incredibly fulfilling; it is also your livelihood.

Therefore, if you encounter trouble with your medical license, you should take the necessary actions to protect it.

S J Harris Law has extensive experience representing physicians through license-related matters. Whether you want to obtain, maintain, or defend your license and reputation against any claims, our healthcare license defense attorney can assist.

Experience in Handling License Defense Matters for Medical Professionals

The mission of the Medical Board of California (MBC) is to protect healthcare consumers through the professional licensing and regulation of those in the healthcare field. 

When you need help with your professional medical license, there is no better ally than a knowledgeable physician license defense attorney. At S J Harris Law, we promote the MBC’s mission while protecting healthcare providers’ licenses and futures.

Our physician licensing lawyer is intimately familiar with the laws and regulations that dictate a physician’s profession, allowing him to provide clients with skilled representation should their licenses be investigated and continue to protect their interests during court proceedings. 

Physicians and Medical Professionals in Need of Legal Guidance

At some point during your medical career, you may need legal guidance, especially when the future of your license and ability to practice hang in the balance and you fear what that may mean for your career.

Doctors

A physician license defense lawyer can help doctors of every specialty who may need legal support throughout their careers. Whether you’re a doctor facing challenges in acquiring a medical license, need help to maintain a positive reputation, or are dealing with accusations made against you, a physician license defense attorney can reliably represent you. 

Nurses

Like doctors, nurses must obtain and maintain their licenses and medical skills throughout their careers. With that said, nurses of all kinds can run into some trouble and require legal guidance for their license and a nurse, such as:

  • Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN)
  • Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVN)
  • Registered Nurses (RN)
  • Nurse Practitioners (NP)

A license defense attorney can help you overcome any issues you may face and protect the future of your career. 

Physician Assistants

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in physician assistant positions, and individuals with these occupations have become an integral part of both private practices and public healthcare.

As a prospective physician assistant, acquiring and upholding your license can be difficult, especially if certain factors work against you. Thankfully, a physician license defense lawyer can work with you and provide qualified representation throughout your matter. 

Reasons Your Physician License Might Be Investigated by the Medical Board of California

The medical field demands adherence to remarkably strict standards, and though physicians are seen as some of life’s greatest heroes, they are still human at the end of the day, meaning errors are bound to happen. 

Whether there is any truth to the accusations leveraged against you, you can trust a physician license defense lawyer to stand behind you through every step of the investigative proceedings, working diligently to achieve the best possible outcome.

Accusation of Medical Misconduct

Physicians are expected to act professionally at all times, which means a single claim of misconduct can result in the need for investigation. Misconduct in healthcare can be defined rather broadly, but it usually entails acting negligently, dishonestly, or incompetently. 

Some of the wrongful actions that may trigger an investigation by the MBC include the following:

  • Filing fraudulent insurance claims
  • Altering records
  • Abandoning a patient
  • Publishing false advertisements
  • Failing to furnish medical records to a patient

Depending on the severity and frequency of the act, discipline could range from reprimands to license suspension or complete revocation. 

Medical Billing or Coding Errors

Doctors and their staff are expected to use medical coding to bill for their services. Errors may involve using the wrong codes to represent symptoms and diagnoses or billing for treatment and services that were never rendered.

While billing and coding mistakes could just be simple and honest accidents, the MBC will still often investigate these claims further to ensure they have not occurred with the intent to deceive and defraud. If the cause for investigation is proven right, the licenses of the practice in question — and any medical providers involved — could be at risk. 

Substance Abuse

Substance abuse is a significant issue in the medical community, as an addiction to alcohol or drugs can seriously interfere with a healthcare provider’s life and career.

Because the MBC is aware of the widespread issue, they take a more rehabilitative approach whenever possible. While medical providers will still be disciplined for their behavior, options may be available to get help and potentially practice again in the future.

Medical Malpractice, Violation, or Negligence

Doctors owe their patients a high duty of care, and should they ever breach that duty, either with wrongful action or omissions, they are considered to be negligent. Medical malpractice occurs when a physician’s negligence causes their patient harm. 

Some common examples of healthcare / medical malpractice cases are as follows:

  • Failure to diagnose
  • Misdiagnosis
  • Failure to take down a patient’s medical history
  • Surgical errors
  • Premature hospital discharge
  • Prescription drug mistakes

Decisions for disciplinary action for malpractice are generally based on the seriousness of the situation, but they could involve license suspension or total revocation. 

How Does the Medical Board of California Respond to Claims or Accusations?

When the MBC receives notice of an accusation against one of their licensed physicians, whether through complaints or peer review reports, their enforcement activity is triggered. Usually, it will begin with a thorough investigation into the claim, and then — based on the findings made in the investigation — the Board may advance the matter to the Attorney General’s Office for a formal accusation. 

Once you receive a formal accusation, you have only 15 days to request a hearing. Should you forgo requesting a hearing, the Board will assume you waive your right to a hearing and take action as detailed in the accusation.

Administrative hearings are similar to court trials. Once the hearing has concluded, the Administrative Law Judge must make their proposed decision within 30 days and send it to a panel at the MBC, which will make the final determination and decide on appropriate disciplinary action. 

Why Is It Important to Involve a Physician or Doctor’s Defense Attorney Right Away?

If you’re facing an investigation or disciplinary action, these matters can progress quickly, so the sooner you involve a medical license defense attorney, the better the outcome may be for you.

As soon as you become aware of the claims or accusations against you, consult an attorney. When one gets involved in your matter early on, they can help ensure there are no errors if or when the MBC investigates you. 

Should you receive a formal accusation, your physician license defense attorney can take timely action to request a hearing and provide the highest-quality representation during your proceedings.

On top of the legal need for a lawyer, it is also helpful to have an attorney who understands the process, as they can provide appropriate mental and emotional support. When you have a medical license defense attorney on your side, you’re never alone in your struggles. 

What to Expect During Physician License Investigations

Investigations can look different in every case, so knowing what you can expect is helpful.

The MBC uses several methods to conduct its investigations, including the following:

  • Interviews of physicians, staff, witnesses, and complainants
  • Subpoenas and search warrants
  • Review of medical and bill records
  • Examination of the location of the alleged act
  • Undercover sting operations

With these in mind, you may not know you’re under investigation until you receive an unannounced visit from an investigator or a request for an interview and copies of records. 

The time it takes to complete an investigation will depend on how long it takes for the MBC to gather sufficient information. Nothing is published on the Medical Board’s site or Breeze during the investigation stage, just in case the investigation yields no serious results. 

What Happens if Your Physician License Is Suspended or Revoked

If disciplinary action is taken against you and your license is suspended or revoked, you will not be allowed to practice medicine. You may, however, still be able to petition the board for reinstatement after some time passes.

When attempting to reinstate your license, you must meet any requirements and disclose the disciplinary action to the board. You may also need to prove that you have waited sufficient time, been rehabilitated, and kept up with your medical knowledge and training. 

A healthcare license attorney can assist you with the reinstatement process to help get your license back and allow you to return to work. 

How S J Harris Law Can Help

As a doctor, you’d likely do anything possible to maintain a respectful reputation and keep your medical license intact, and hiring a physician license defense attorney can help you do just that. 

At S J Harris Law, our California medical license defense attorneys and the team is committed to our clients and never back down from a challenge. We’re always willing to go the extra mile if it means accomplishing our goals of keeping you active in your career, so whether you just need simple guidance or aggressive representation, count on S J Harris Law.

Protect and Safeguard Your License by Consulting a Physician License Defense Attorney

Protecting your medical license and the future of your career starts at S J Harris Law. Contact our firm today to request a consultation, and let’s discuss how we can help you.

Get a 30-Minute Free Consultation

Fill out the form or call:

323-894-1095

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When dealing with these complex issues, you need legal representation that has a long track record of success in these types of cases. Scott Harris and the rest of our team at S J Harris Law will be ready to help you pursue any option available that allows you to keep your license and continue working, no matter what industry you are in.

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