Philadelphia Physician License Defense Lawyers

A physician’s license controls where and when they are able to practice their trade. After spending years to earn that license, any physician can tell you just how valuable and important that piece of recognition can be.

But once a physician earns their license, they are not able to do whatever they please when practicing medicine. To ensure the strength of the license, physicians must uphold a set of standards and expectations while practicing medicine. If they do not, they may face having their license taken away.

When Might a License Be Taken Away from a Physician?

In order to begin an investigation into whether or not a license should be removed from a physician, someone must first make a complaint. Complaints can be made from patients, from other employees or staff of the hospital, from insurance companies, or even from other physicians.

A complaint means that the physician has acted in some way that is not in line with the responsibilities of their job. This may mean that the client, hospital employee, or insurance company feels that the physician is doing something illegal or that they are simply not acting appropriately for their position.

Complaints may either be minor infractions or could include incredibly serious allegations, sometimes leading to additional cases or trials. Those complaints may include things like unprofessional conduct, not providing adequate health care or providing health care that is unnecessary and potentially dangerous, engaging in inappropriate relationships, or acting unethically.

What Happens After the Complaint is Made Against a Physician

Once one of these complaints is made against a physician, an investigation against them will begin. During the investigation period, the physician will be required to provide documents, complete interviews, and maybe assist in securing witness testimonies that contribute to the case. Whether or not the claim is true does not matter at this point – the investigation will still continue until the committee decides whether or not there is enough evidence to support the claim.

After all the evidence is gathered, the committee will decide whether or not the physician can keep their license. However, if they decide that the individual should not continue to practice medicine, the physician will lose their job and be unable to secure a new one until their physician’s license is restored.

Because there is so much weighing on an investigation like this, physicians should take them extremely seriously. This usually means by enlisting the help of a Philadelphia Physician License Defense Lawyer.

Philadelphia Physician License Defense Lawyers and How They Can Help

When you are first informed that there is an ongoing investigation on your practice, it is natural to feel nervous and scared about what may happen. But if you know that the claim is not true, you may choose to brush the allegations under the rug and ignore the investigation. Not only can this make it seem like you aren’t cooperating, but it also means you aren’t present to defend yourself if the investigators should find some type of evidence.

Unless you have experience dealing with similar investigations, you will probably be unsure of what you should do or how you should act. But when you hire a Philadelphia Physician License Defense Lawyer, they can hold your hand through the entire process.

As with any legal situation, a lawyer can break down how the process will work and what is expected of you. They can also help you understand your rights, what you need to do, and what you can legally say no to during the investigation. This can help you to maintain your image and stay in a positive light during the investigation.

A Philadelphia Physician License Defense Lawyer can also help you develop a defense and negotiate a lower or shorter punishment if the claims do hold up. However, if you want the best chance of winning your case and maintaining your license and ability to work in your state, you will want to contact a Philadelphia Physician License Defense Lawyer as soon as you know that a claim has been made against you.

When you have your entire future on the line, don’t take anything for granted. Hire a professional to assist you through the process and secure the safety of your physician’s license.

FAQ: Philadelphia Physician License Defense (Investigations & License Suspension)

1) Can a physician lose their medical license?

Yes. A physician’s license can be taken away if they fail to meet professional standards and expectations while practicing medicine, especially if an investigation finds enough evidence to support a complaint.

2) What causes a physician license investigation to start?

A license investigation typically begins after someone files a complaint. Complaints can come from:

• Patients

• Hospital employees or staff

• Insurance companies

• Other physicians

3) What does a complaint against a physician mean?

A complaint usually means someone believes the physician acted outside the responsibilities of their job. This may include accusations that the physician acted illegally, unethically, or inappropriately.

4) What types of allegations can lead to license discipline?

Complaints may range from minor issues to serious allegations. Examples include:

• Unprofessional conduct

• Inadequate health care

• Unnecessary or potentially dangerous treatment

• Inappropriate relationships

• Unethical behavior

5) What happens after a complaint is filed against a physician?

Once a complaint is filed, an investigation begins. During the investigation, the physician may be required to:

• Provide documents

• Complete interviews

• Help secure witness testimony

Even if the physician believes the complaint is false, the investigation can still continue until a committee makes a decision.

6) Does the investigation stop if the complaint is not true?

No. The investigation may continue regardless of whether the physician believes the allegations are true or false. The committee will still gather evidence and determine whether there is enough support for the claim.

7) Who decides if a physician can keep their license?

A committee reviews the evidence collected during the investigation and decides whether the physician can keep practicing or whether discipline (including license loss) is appropriate.

8) What happens if a physician loses their license?

If the committee decides the physician should not continue practicing medicine, the physician may:

• Lose their job

• Be unable to secure a new position

• Be unable to practice until their license is restored

9) Should a physician take a license investigation seriously?

Yes. Because a physician’s career and future may be on the line, investigations should be taken extremely seriously and handled carefully.

10) Why shouldn’t a physician ignore an investigation?

Ignoring an investigation can make it appear like the physician is not cooperating. It also prevents the physician from actively defending themselves during the process.

11) How can a Philadelphia Physician License Defense Lawyer help?

A Philadelphia Physician License Defense Lawyer can:

• Explain how the investigation process works

• Help you understand what is expected of you

• Inform you of your rights

• Help you understand what you can legally say “no” to

• Assist in protecting your professional image during the investigation

12) Can a lawyer help reduce penalties in a license case?

Yes. If the claims hold up, a lawyer can help develop a defense and may negotiate a lower or shorter punishment depending on the situation.

13) When should I contact a Philadelphia Physician License Defense Lawyer?

You should contact a lawyer as soon as you know a complaint has been made against you. The sooner you get help, the better your chances of protecting your license and ability to work.