Facing an investigation or a complaint by a professional licensing authority is a very serious matter. Often, licensed medical professionals are unaware of the implications that a negative professional licensing action will have on their practice.
Many licensed professionals attempt to resolve professional licensing issues on their own. While there may be no validity to the complaint, the risk of potential sanctions far outweighs the cost of an attorney. Often, an experienced professional licensing defense attorney can help achieve a dismissal or greatly reduce sanctions.
Our healthcare regulatory and licensing lawyers’ portfolio includes representing thousands of licensed healthcare professionals in investigations, emergency suspensions, administrative complaints, and other disciplinary actions before Michigan and Florida’s licensing agencies (the Florida Department of Health (DOH) and the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA)). By working with state investigators, we are usually able to resolve an investigative issue before a formal administrative complaint is even filed, or have sanctions reduced greatly.
For licensure applications and renewals, we work with licensed healthcare providers who have substance abuse, criminal, and credentialing problems. Because our attorneys work with the licensing bodies that regulated by the Public Health Code, we know what each board looks for, giving us clear insight into what healthcare providers need to be presented in the best possible light.
When it comes to substance abuse intervention and monitoring programs like Florida’s Intervention Project for Nurses (IPN) and Professionals Resource Network (PRN), and Michigan’s Health Professionals Recovery Program (HPRP), there are options and alternatives to help health care providers keep their license and stay working. Our professional licensing attorneys have assisted in thousands of nurses, physicians, and other healthcare workers to avoid licensing action without intervention program enrollment, as well as negotiating less intrusive recovery programs for those with true substance abuse problems.
To be accused of drug diversion means possible criminal charges if federal or state authorities — such as the DEA Office of Diversion Control, DOH, LARA, Florida Drug Enforcement Strike Force, Michigan State Police Narcotics Enforcement Teams, and Florida Department of Law Enforcement — become involved. We assist healthcare providers at all stages of the drug diversion case, including representing providers when investigators want to interview; defending providers at administrative hearings and board hearings; dissolving license suspensions, and fighting impairment program referrals.
The administrative complaint process starts with the filing of a complaint by a former patient, client, colleague or another interested person with the state licensing agency.
The agency assigns an investigator. The investigator usually has nothing more than the complaint to go on. He/she will call or write attempting to set up a meeting.
Important: Before you meet with anyone, consult a professional licensing defense attorney for proper legal representation. There is often a very short time frame for you to obtain an attorney to evaluate the issues, before the investigator seeks authority to file a formal complaint or an administrative hearing is scheduled.
Our attorneys understand the affect that disciplinary actions can have on your license, particularly if you are licensed in multiple states. Certain issues can follow you from state to state, so it is important to know and evaluate your options.
When faced with criminal prosecution, special attention must be paid to the impact a judgment or plea agreement will have on your professional license.
Some criminal convictions must be self-reported to the licensing board, and others may not. Some could result in immediate suspension of the license, while other convictions may result in an administrative complaint.
If you have been accused of a crime or have recently been convicted, contact Chapman Law Group’s professional licensing defense attorneys to discuss your reporting requirements and options. We are here to provide the solutions to help protect your professional license.
Chapman Law Group’s Florida offices are in Miami and Sarasota. We work with health care practitioners and practices throughout Florida, including Tampa/St. Petersburg, Jacksonville, Orlando, West Palm Beach, Gainesville, and Fort Lauderdale/Broward County.
Our Michigan office is located in Troy. We represent licensed healthcare practitioners across Michigan, including Metro Detroit, Ann Arbor, Dearborn, Grand Rapids, Troy, Lansing, Flint, Saginaw, and Kalamazoo.
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Our Michigan healthcare regulatory and licensing lawyers researched and provided published studies regarding the specific sedation medications used and how the dentist’s actions were within the standard of care.
Our Michigan healthcare regulatory and licensing lawyers showed that the nurse had a right to access records for limited purposes in her capacity, and the patient attempted to lay the foundation for an alleged HIPAA complaint against our client.
Our healthcare license defense attorney worked to get a Michigan dentist’s drunk and disorderly charge dismissed by the prosecutor; there will be no conviction to report to LARA, and no HPRP monitoring agreement to complete.
For physicians, nurses, pharmacists and other healthcare providers, turning to local general criminal lawyers is a mistake for a criminal matter that could lead to loss of license. A Michigan dentist was fortunate enough to not go that route.
Michigan nurses and medical practitioners are most often referred to HPRP by employers due to potential safety-to-practice concerns.
Florida nurses and medical practitioners are most often referred to IPN and PRN by employers due to potential safety-to-practice concerns.
Michigan OFFICE
1441 W Long Lake Road
Suite 310
Troy, MI 48098
T. 248.644.6326
F. 248.644.6324
CALIFORNIA OFFICE
5250 Lankershim Blvd.
Ste. 500
North Hollywood, CA 91601
T. (818) 287-0576
FLORIDA OFFICES
6841 Energy Court
Suite 120
Sarasota, FL 34240
T. 941.893.3449
701 Waterford Way
Suite 340
Miami, FL 33126
T. 305.712.7177
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