As a licensed physician or surgeon in Riverside, you should act fast to protect your rights and interests if you are notified of a pending investigation or formal accusation against you by the California Medical Board. The right thing to do is to find a reasonable license defense lawyer to help you through the administrative processes, support you, and handle your matter best. Although ignoring the notice or investigation is usually the easy way out, especially if you are innocent, it can significantly damage your profession. Even a small fine or citation can damage your reputation; a more severe discipline can leave you without a livelihood.

At Riverside License Attorney, we understand how complex California laws and the Medical Board regulations are. We also know how difficult it is to navigate the complex legal processes under the board’s investigation. We understand how critical your license and livelihood are to you and others who depend on it. We can work together to develop the right strategies for a favorable result.

The Critical Job of Modern Physicians and Surgeons

The healthcare sector is one of the most critical sectors in the country today. Everyone depends on it for good health and general well-being. Physicians and surgeons are only a small number of healthcare professionals whose services are critical in the industry. They diagnose, recommend treatment, and treat all kinds of sicknesses and illnesses. Their goal is to restore the health of people seeking their services.

However, you need excellent training and experience to work well as a physician or surgeon in California. The State Medical Board sets a very high standard for everyone working in the healthcare sector. You must meet strict criteria, which include excellent qualifications, dedication, and a positive attitude. This means you must undergo years of learning and relearning and demonstrate diligent effort in delivering quality and professional services to everyone. The years of learning also require you to invest substantial money. You need additional funds to obtain a license, which enables you to provide legal services within the state.

Additionally, these careers require you to be fully dedicated to the needs of your patients. You must serve everyone seeking your assistance, regardless of age, social background, or ability. Thus, a physician or surgeon's job is more than a career; it is usually a call to serve humanity even in unpleasant situations or conditions. The demands for the job are more today when there is a need to include technology and modernity in your service delivery. When technologies fail, the person using them is sometimes blamed for failure, which risks your career.

Surgeons and physicians with the proper training, experience, and best interests make mistakes. Sometimes, you can hurt a patient unknowingly or accidentally. Other times, you can make an honest mistake or judgment. These issues bring many problems to you, especially since they put your license and career at risk. Although some patients or employers allow you time to make amends or apologize for your mistakes, others file complaints with the Medical Board.

Since the Medical Board is all about public safety, it is inclined to act whenever it receives a complaint about a physician or surgeon. You could lose your reputation through a public citation, reprimand, or your license through suspension or revocation. However, you can change the outcome of your case with the assistance of a competent license attorney.

The Mission of the State Medical Board

Since the Medical Board is the licensing body for most healthcare professionals, you can quickly assume that it will look out for you, especially when you are in trouble with the law. This is far from the truth because the board protects the public. Its primary mission is public safety, and it will do anything to keep the healthcare sector safe and free of unprofessional, incompetent, and negligent physicians and surgeons. This means you cannot count on the board to protect your interests or favor you if you have been accused of unprofessional conduct.

It also means you must find someone by your side when that happens. This can be a hired license attorney with experience handling administrative cases like yours. They must understand how difficult it was to obtain your license and grow your career to the level you are at. They must also understand your need to keep your license and continue doing what you do. Then, they can protect your interests using the best strategies.

Since the board’s mission is to protect consumers and patients, it must regulate the licensing of qualified physicians and surgeons. The board must consider your level of training and additional qualifications to give you a license. You must also demonstrate an understanding of all the laws related to your profession and criminal laws. You must understand your professional code of ethics and what will happen when you violate these statutes. Then, you can be certified to render your services within the state.

The board’s work does not end at licensing. Typically, all licensed healthcare professionals are expected to be monitored to ensure they are working as they should and meeting the set standards. Suppose a patient is dissatisfied with your services, or you are accused of unprofessionalism or incompetence. In that case, the board must take quick action to protect the public from financial, physical, or emotional harm. It uses various forms of discipline against licensed physicians and surgeons who violate their operations standards. A severe violation can result in your license's temporary or permanent cancellation.

Sometimes, the board uses harsh discipline to protect the public from unprofessional or unsafe practices by licensed healthcare professionals. To protect your license and interests, you need the assistance of a competent attorney. An attorney can negotiate for lenient disciplinary actions or for the board to dismiss the allegations.

The Kinds of Complaints The Medical Board Investigates

The State Medical Board invites complaints and allegations of all kinds from the public. Anyone injured or dissatisfied through their interaction with a licensed physician or surgeon can bring a complaint to the board. However, the board determines whether complaints and allegations are worthy of an investigation. If someone files an unsubstantiated complaint, the board dismisses it without taking action. If there is evidence of a violation, the board will likely pursue the allegation against you. You should be prepared to fight the claims and defend your livelihood because the board's disciplinary actions are very harsh.

The California Medical Board receives a long list of complaints. Here are just a few of them:

  • Being negligent when handling a patient, whether gross or ordinary negligence
  • Failing to help a patient in need
  • Being incompetent when working within the scope of your practice
  • Use and abuse of alcohol and drugs while handling patients
  • Committing fraud or any related crime, including medical or insurance fraud
  • Prescribing medication to patients who do not need it
  • Overprescribing medication for an unlawful gain
  • Hiring or supervising incompetent or unlicensed assistants
  • Poor maintenance of medical records
  • Faking or altering patient records
  • Criminal arrests or convictions that affect your capacity to deliver safe or professional services
  • Professional or sexual misconduct

The Medical Board launches an investigation once it receives a substantiated allegation. Its first action will be to notify you of the allegation and give you a hearing date. You should speak to an attorney after that to understand the allegation more and its possible consequences. An attorney will also help you prepare for the hearing. Being prepared can work in your favor and reduce your chances of facing harsh discipline.

The board will appoint an investigator and an administrative judge to handle the case. The investigator will use any means necessary to obtain incriminating information from you. You should only speak to your attorney about the matter and allow your attorney to handle the investigation. This way, you will avoid giving information to the investigator that the board can use against you.

Your attorney will also intervene in your case at every step of the administrative process, protecting your rights and fighting for a favorable resolution. Here are examples of services you will receive from the right license attorney during the investigation process:

  • Organizing a meet-up with the case investigator where you can challenge any evidence against you or introduce fresh evidence to counter the allegations
  • Interviewing experts or eyewitnesses who are willing to give a favorable testimony during the hearing
  • Gathering evidence that supports your actions or inactions, including subpoenaing documents and inspecting the place where the incident occurred
  • Reviewing statements from the board to prepare to challenge them during the hearing
  • Negotiating a plea deal with the board that comes with lenient penalties and the possibility of keeping your professional license
  • If your case is related to drug or alcohol abuse or addiction, your attorney can ensure you receive the necessary help and support to start treatment. This can work in your favor during the hearing.
  • If you have an underlying mental or emotional condition, they can sign you up with a counselor or therapist to start treatment before the hearing. This can work as a mitigating factor in negotiating for a favorable resolution in your case.
  • Using the best defense strategies to compel the board to dismiss the allegations
  • If the board has already suspended or revoked your license, your attorney can fight for reinstatement and help you through the process until you start working again.
  • If you face criminal prosecution and it threatens your license, your attorney will do their best to fight a suspension or revocation.

Possible Results of a Medical Board Investigation

The board has various ways of resolving administrative cases against licensed physicians and surgeons. The results of your case will depend on several factors, including the nature and gravity of the allegation and your performance record in the healthcare sector.

If there is insufficient evidence to support an allegation, or the allegation is not credible, the board will quickly dismiss it. You will not receive any notice regarding such an allegation because the board ignores it after receiving the claim. However, if the claim is credible and there is evidence of your unprofessional conduct, here are possible outcomes of an administrative process:

A Citation

The Medical Board’s citations are usually issued to surgeons and physicians facing lenient complaints from the public. The board uses a public platform to issue a citation as a warning against further violations by the healthcare professional. You could be charged a fine for a particular amount, which you must pay to the board within a given period. Citations will not affect your license but can damage your reputation.

A Reprimand

The board uses reprimand letters instead of citations in lenient matters. A reprimand is a caution against further violation. It is also issued publicly, damaging your reputation and plans to find a job or patients.

License Suspension

The board can suspend your license for a particular period in case of a grave violation. Since you cannot work on a suspended license, you must seek alternative means to make a living before it reinstates your license. The reinstatement process is also very complex and lengthy. An attorney can fight the suspension to avoid all these setbacks.

License Revocation

This punishment is usually reserved for grave violations that result in injuries or death. A revocation means a total cancellation of your license. You will lose your job and chances of working again as a physician or surgeon in California. However, your license attorney can push hard for a favorable resolution whereby you get to keep your license.

Find Competent Riverside License Defense Services Near Me

Your physician or surgeon license is at risk if you are under the investigation of the California Medical Board in Riverside. It means you have the standard of operations for healthcare professionals, have committed a criminal act, or have put your patients or the public at risk. The board can suspend or dismiss your license, leaving you without a means of earning a living. Even the most lenient action it uses, like a citation or reprimand, can damage your reputation and career.

At Riverside License Attorney, we can help you fight the allegations and defend your license. We use the best defense strategies depending on the allegation you face and the possible outcome. Call us at 951-404-0569 for more information regarding your case and our services.