Health Care: Licensing Board and Peer Review Proceedings

REPRESENTING A CHIROPRACTOR

Background: Our client received a letter from the State of California Chiropractic Board alleging unlawful practice of medicine due to alternative health care treatments, website content, and internet blogs.
Resolution: After our lengthy presentation to the Board, the case was closed and no disciplinary charges were filed. (2007)

REPRESENTING A DENTIST

Background: Our client had extracted the wrong tooth. In the deposition for his civil malpractice case, he gave allegedly false testimony.
Resolution: We resolved the State of California Dental Board investigation prior to the filing of any disciplinary charges, and case was closed. (2005)

REPRESENTING A PHYSICIAN

Background: Three of the patients of a board-certified OB-GYN had made claims of sexual abuse/touching. The physician hired us to represent him before the State of California Medical Board when it requested copies of the medical records and an interview.
Resolution: After our thorough investigation and witness interviews, the Board closed its case and filed no disciplinary charges. (2006)

Background: A pediatric patient of a board-certified ER physician died at a hospital after routine examination. After a civil lawsuit, the State of California Medical Board began an investigation. The physician hired us to represent him when the Medical Board first requested an interview.
Resolution: We conducted a thorough investigation, including interviews with witnesses. We also hired an expert witness to prepare our client prior to his Medical Board interview. The Board closed the case and filed no disciplinary charges. (2007)

Background: A physician had two “driving under the influence” convictions.
Resolution: We made a presentation to State of California Medical Board for which we hired a substance abuse expert. The physician entered a diversion program, and no disciplinary charges were filed. (2007)

REPRESENTING A PHYSICAL THERAPIST

Background: Our client had submitted allegedly false claims to a private insurer and became involved in a business dispute involving alleged patient abandonment. The State of California Physical Therapy Board sought a one-year suspension as a result of the fraud claims.
Resolution: After our thorough investigation, pre-hearing preparation and several meetings, the Board agreed to probation with 60 days suspension. (2006)

REPRESENTING A PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT

Background: Our client was the subject of two separate criminal complaints of unlawful physical touching and sexual allegations. We were hired prior to any interviews with police or the State of California Medical Board investigator.
Resolution: After our thorough presentations, no criminal charges or disciplinary charges were filed. The Board case was closed. (2007)

REPRESENTING A PSYCHIATRIST

Background: An institutionalized paranoid schizophrenic patient died while under the psychiatrist’s care. The California Department of Mental Health suspended the psychiatrist’s privileges.
Resolution: We conducted extensive preparations before the hearing, which resulted in the reinstatement of our client’s privileges. (2004)