PHYSICIAN LICENSE DEFENSE

Texas Physician License Defense Lawyer

The Leichter Law Firm dedicates over one-half of its practice to representing physicians in disciplinary matters and misconduct proceedings before and against The Texas Medical Board. Our Texas physician license defense attorneys have successfully represented numerous physicians in a variety of capacities in both disciplinary and post-disciplinary matters. We are especially qualified in handling chemical dependency and intemperate use cases, particularly as they relate to standard of care allegations, non-therapeutic prescribing, the inadequate maintenance and documentation of records, and sexual boundary violations.

Our firm’s attorneys are well-versed trial lawyers – an essential for physicians who face the challenge of the State Office of Administrative Hearings or an appeal to the Travis County District Court. Our firm’s downtown Austin location lends itself well to our practice and is convenient to doctors state-wide as we are minutes away from the Texas Medical Board’s Executive Offices, The State Office of Administrative Hearings, The Travis County District Courthouse, and The Texas Supreme Court.

Because we are a boutique firm, we already know the law and the rules and do not bill an associate attorney’s research and learning efforts to your account to achieve sub-standard results. Our purpose is physician-friendly advocacy and the maintenance of your medical / physician license and health care practice.

To learn more about what our dedicated Texas physician license defense lawyers may be able to do for you, please contact us today by calling 512-495-9995.

Why Hire a Physician License Defense Attorney?

Disciplinary investigations, actions, and orders sought and issued against physicians by the Texas Medical Board (TMB) have increased dramatically over the last few years. While standard-of-care complaints comprise approximately one-half of all investigations, chemical dependency, sexual boundary violations, non-therapeutic prescribing, the failure to maintain adequate charts and records, and the commission and conviction of crimes also account for a significant number of misconduct investigations and disciplinary proceedings against a medical license and physician registration / license. Punitive sanctions have risen as have the number of cases being settled with lengthy disciplinary orders and probated suspensions.

Investigations are often initiated by a letter and followed with a phone call from an investigator. If the Texas Medical Board (TMB) contacts a physician in this or any other manner, it is prudent for the doctor to consult with an attorney before responding to the TMB. It is never advisable to meet with or be questioned by a Texas Medical Board investigator without legal counsel. In fact, once counsel is retained, the TMB’s investigators are prohibited from contacting and questioning a physician directly.

Physician Complaint Representation

The Leichter Law Firm can guide you through this process and help to ascertain the nature of the complaint against you. Once determined, we will help you respond to the allegations and prepare a defense. Often these proceedings are initiated by a patient, co-worker, malpractice suit, or a negative peer review action or determination. Thus, upon notice that a hospital or medical staff peer review inquiry is being made into a physician or other healthcare professional, they should immediately consult with an attorney.

A successful defense to a hospital peer review investigation or medical staff privileges dispute can effectively thwart an otherwise imminent TMB investigation and the imposition of physician discipline or misconduct sanctions. Furthermore, statements made and offered in the defense of a peer review / medical staff privileges dispute which result in the imposition of sanctions due to physician misconduct are clearly discoverable by the Texas Medical Board during their investigative process.

When a physician is contacted by state or federal authorities pertaining to Medicare, Medicaid, or other federal or state reimbursement policies under the Social Security Act they should immediately consult with an attorney, as this is often a precursor to the filing of criminal charges and a criminal prosecution. Similarly, if a physician is arrested on charges unrelated to his or her practice, he or she should consult with counsel as some offenses require the mandatory revocation of a physician’s medical license upon a conviction or a plea in exchange for a term of community supervision.

Criminal prosecutions and Board investigations and sanctions also result in sometimes improper reporting to and by the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB). Furthermore, misdemeanor deferred adjudication probations in Texas can be petitioned for non-disclosure and can be removed from the Board’s website. Careful attention must be paid by physicians to ensure that reporting of actions concerning their medical license has been done accurately and is properly reflected in the NPDB and other public information databases.

Medical malpractice claims often trigger the investigation and filing of a complaint by the Texas Medical Board. Many liability policies provide for the payment of attorneys fees in associated physician discipline and licensure actions. In these instances it is prudent for a physician to hire an attorney who is familiar with the Texas Medical Board’s policies, practices, and procedures, as well as the TMB’s positions and postures relative to the action sought. Therefore we suggest that physicians discuss the relevant provisions relating to attorneys fees and the attorney of their choice with your insurance agent or policy provider.

As experienced healthcare and administrative law attorneys, The Leichter Law Firm provides quality representation and licensure defense and advocacy to physicians faced with disciplinary actions by a state board licensing agency, a hospital or medical staff peer review committee, a compensation commission, or a criminal prosecuting entity. Whether you are a physician accused of misconduct, neglect, or being chemically dependent, we forcefully yet delicately advocate for you and your medical license / physician registration in a deliberate, zealous, responsible, and tactful manner.

Contact Us

If you are in danger of losing your physician license, the Texas physician license defense attorneys of the Leichter Law Firm may be able to help you. To discuss your case with one of our experienced and compassionate attorneys, please contact us today by calling 512-495-9995.

Get in Touch

Office Locations

Austin Office

1602 E 7th St
Austin, TX 78702
Phone: (512) 495-9995
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Houston Office

3700 N Main St
Houston, TX 77009
Phone: (713) 714-2446
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McAllen Office

214 N 16th St #128
McAllen, TX 78501
Phone: (956) 205-0884
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