Las Vegas Medical License Defense Lawyer
Last Modified: June 30, 2024
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Defending Your Nevada Medical License
As a medical professional, you have worked diligently to obtain your credentials, career, and reputation. Medical healthcare professionals are held to tremendously high and stringent standards from the Nevada Board of Medical Examiners. Various regulatory bodies are tasked with protecting the public’s health, safety, and welfare and consequently they take allegations of misconduct seriously.
Complaints against medical professionals are filed with the Nevada Board of Medical Examiners by patients, colleagues, fellow employees, insurance companies, law enforcement agencies, and plenty of others. Allegations are also commonly filed anonymously and are aggressively pursued if there is enough information to support the claim. Some of the most common complaints against medical physicians include the following:
- Chemical dependency Issues
- Breach in duty of care
- Pending or previous criminal charges
- Prescription drug errors
- Failure to follow health and safety regulations
- Violating medical disclosures or confidentiality
- Failing to maintain proper credentials
- Improper patient referrals and solicitation allegations
If you have become the target of an investigation or have been contacted by the Nevada Medical Review Board, you must take proactive action and develop a well-crafted plan to protect your license, your reputation, and livelihood. In some cases, early intervention may prevent a formal accusation from being rendered. At Spartacus Law Firm, we understand the intricacies of professional license defense. Our Las Vegas medical license defense attorney brings the requisite trial experience and in-depth knowledge of the issues you need to prevail in a fight for your license, reputation, and livelihood.
We Fight For Medical Licensed Professionals
The Spartacus Law Firm’s mission is to protect medical professionals and their licenses. If you are currently involved in an investigation against the Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners, difficulty obtaining your license, a revocation proceeding, or legal issues in your medical practice our Las Vegas medical license defense attorney can help you. To minimize potential sanctions, suspensions, revocations, or other disciplinary measures, you need a highly strategic legal counsel to protect you from governmental investigation and disciplinary proceedings.
- Physicians
- Surgeons
- Physician Assistants
- Nurses
- Dentists
- Pharmacists
- Optometrists
- Acupuncturists
- Chiropractors
- Psychologists
- Veterinarians
- Respiratory Care Therapists
- Social Workers
- Other Healthcare Professionals
Common Causes Of Medical Board Disciplinary Actions
The Nevada Board of Medical Examiners will review certain complaints and allegations against physicians and decide when to act. The Board will generally only investigate alleged conduct that violates Nevada state law or professional protocols. Some of the most common complaints against medical professionals that result in disciplinary actions include:
Medical Malpractice
The Nevada State Board Of Medical Examiners medical malpractice complaints usually involve quality of care and breach of duty issues. The Board receives a large number of complaints each year regarding failure to diagnose, misdiagnosis, incompetence, and failure to meet standards of care. Although many of these are found to be untrue, a medical malpractice allegation is not something to take lightly. If you’ve learned of a complaint against you, the best thing to do is to speak with a Las Vegas medical license defense attorney as soon as possible.
Positive Drug Test
If you’ve failed a required drug test, don’t panic. While this could be reported to the Nevada Board of Medical Examiners and activate an investigation against you, you may still be able to keep your license with the right defense. Contact our Las Vegas physicians license defense lawyer if you suspect that your drug test is likely to come back positive. The quicker we can begin your defense, the better chance you will have to retain your license. Physicians commonly accept disciplinary action or even surrender their medical license entirely without first speaking to a lawyer. A positive drug screen will typically result in
- Your employer promptly notifying the state of the result
- Immediate suspension of your medical license in that state
- Nevada Board of Medical Examiners will determine disciplinary action
- Other job-related sanctions from your employer
- Negative media publicity (in high-profile cases)
DUI Charges
Driving while under the influence can put your career in jeopardy. You could be facing a lengthy suspension following a DUI, or even complete revocation of your license. If you have been arrested and received a DUI in Nevada, you will likely be put under investigation and be subject to ongoing monitoring until a decision by the Board has been made. It’s not uncommon for medical professionals to lose their licenses after receiving a DUI. Ahe Spartacus Law Firm, we believe that an off-duty mistake should not affect your career. If you have been charged with a DUI it is imperative to speak with a Las Vegas medical license defense lawyer promptly. Your attorney can give you the advice you need regarding the steps you should take to defend yourself and your license.
Criminal Charges
If you have a previous criminal charge or have recently been arrested for a criminal offense, your ability to practice medicine may be in trouble. Physicians who are facing criminal charges and have had their license revoked or suspended will likely need to consult a lawyer if they wish to have their license reinstated. The Spartacus Law Firm can advise and support medical professionals who have previous criminal convictions that they need to report. Our criminal defense attorney has the knowledge and experience to help you navigate the legal red tape and give you the best chance to retain your license.
Drug Diversion
Drug diversion is one of the more common allegations against medical professionals. We generally see this with the misappropriation of controlled substances. Doctors, nurses, and pharmacists are usually the medical professionals that most often deal with these complaints. If a drug diversion allegation is brought against you it will typically trigger criminal proceedings, as well as medical license hearings with the Nevada Board of Medical Examiners. In our experience, many drug diversion cases are the result of simple mistakes and should not lead to the end of a career or time in prison. Speak with our Las Vegas medical license defense lawyer today to begin planning your defense against these claims.
Sexual Harassment Or Assault Of A Patient
The Board deals with complaints that involve a medical professional participating in sexual harassment or assault frequently. If you are accused of sexual misconduct with a patient, you’re not alone and there are defenses you can take to protect yourself against these claims. These complaints usually include criminal conduct, a criminal conviction, illegal prescribing, drug diversion, unlicensed practice, practicing outside the scope of a license, poor record keeping, fraud or misrepresentation, and unlawful billing practices. If you are accused of any of these actions, do not hesitate to contact our medical license defense attorney in Nevada.
Possible Consequences Of Medical Board Complaints
After the Nevada Board of Medical Examiners investigates the complaint against you, there are a few common results that will follow. Each of these results will depend on your specific case and some are much more impactful than others. However, it’s important to remember that all disciplinary actions are decided after evidence has been reviewed and you’ve had your chance to defend yourself. A strong defense with the help of an experienced attorney can drastically improve your chances for an optimal outcome. Some of the most common potential consequences of medical board complaints include:
No Formal Action
After the investigatory process, the Nevada Board of Medical Examiners may find there has not been a violation of the law or there is not enough evidence to support the claim against you. You will be notified that there is no violation and no disciplinary action. However, you must remember that this information is kept on file and you still must approach this decision carefully when resuming work.
Letter of Concern
A letter of concern may be private or public. This letter may warn you against certain conduct, which could lead to more severe disciplinary actions in the future. If you do not follow these guidelines, a more severe disciplinary action is likely to follow.
Reprimand
You may receive a public reprimand for unethical, immoral, dishonest, or unprofessional conduct. Although not the most common type of action from a complaint, public reprimands do occur and they can be just as devastating. Your reputation as a medical professional is one of your most important assets, if this process is not handled correctly, it can mean trouble for the future of your career.
License Restrictions
Depending on the legal violation and claims brought against you, the Nevada Board of Medical Examiners may impose certain conditions and restrictions on your license. These are usually decided on a case by case basis, so professional representation can play a big role in getting these restrictions mitigated in your favor.
Medical License Suspension
Your medical license to practice in Nevada may be suspended for a specific period of time following a complaint. To get your medical license back, you will need to go through the reinstatement process and follow the Boards stipulations. If this is the case, call a Nevada medical license defense attorney at the Spartacus Law Firm right away.
Medical License Revocation
Your medical license may be completely revoked for certain harmful conduct or multiple legal or ethical violations. If you believe you are eligible to obtain a medical license again, you must go through the reinstatement process. This process can be lengthy and full of roadblocks. Hiring legal representation will provide you with the best opportunity to successfully regain your license.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can A Revoked Medical License Be Reinstated?
If your medical license was revoked, do not give up. There are plenty of instances where you may be eligible for reinstatement in the future with the help of a qualified Las Vegas physician license defense attorney. However, you will have to have completed the Nevada Board of Medical Examiners disciplinary requirements beforehand. Following a reinstatement application, the Board will require you to prove you are competent to practice and have undergone all necessary reinstatement prerequisites.
What Are Common Complaints That Might Result In Disciplinary Action?
Many of these complaints stem from practicing without the proper credentials and a valid medical license. Patients, doctors, nurses, employers, or the general public may file a complaint against a medical professional for various reasons, including illegal, unsafe, unethical, or incompetent medical practices. Some of the most common complaints against physicians in Nevada include:
- Prescription drug abuse
- Drug diversion
- Impaired conduct at work
- Medication mistakes resulting in patient injury or death
- Patient abandonment
- Patient abuse or exploitation
- Violation of professional boundaries
What Happens After A Complaint Is Filed?
If the Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners decides to file a formal complaint against you then you will have an administrative hearing scheduled. After the hearing, the Board will make it’s findings and present their decision regarding your professional license based on the evidence collected. After this decision has been made you will still have the opportunity to appeal that decision into the District Court. But understand that this can be complex and difficult on your own. Hiring a qualified Nevada medical license defense attorney will improve the chances of you keeping your license. Don’t risk losing your career because you didn’t take your complaint seriously.
Contact A Qualified Las Vegas Medical License Defense Attorney
Spartacus Law Firm provides a strategic and comprehensive approach to vigorously protect your rights and defend healthcare professionals before various Nevada State and Federal Agencies and Disciplinary Boards. Our Firm has the experience you need to obtain the results you want to allow healthcare professionals to keep their license to practice while minimizing and mitigating harsh consequences. Contact the Spartacus Law Firm today to speak with our Las Vegas medical license defense attorney, Chandon Alexander.