Guilty Until Proven Innocent? The High Stakes of Physician Misconduct Allegations
The San Antonio medical community is in shock after an experienced pediatrician was accused of sexually assaulting one of his patients. The Texas Medical Board found the allegations credible enough to suspend Dr. Gabriel Perez’s license days after he was arrested on accusations of aggravated sexual assault of a child. The speedy nature of Dr. Perez’s professional discipline highlights how medical boards across the country operate; if there are any concerns about public health and safety, it is better to be safe than sorry when it comes to suspending licenses.
A suspended license can be devastating to any profession, regardless of the accusations. It is especially concerning for physicians, because public health concerns are taken seriously and will always take precedence over a doctor’s right to practice medicine. If you are a physician or other professional facing formal professional sanctions, the odds are already stacked against you on day one. That is why professionals across the country turn to the LLF National Law Firm Professional License Defense Team to keep their licenses and maintain their professional credibility. Call us today at 888.353.3686 or send us a confidential online message today.
Why Accusations Against Physicians Are Taken So Seriously
Doctors are likely the most highly scrutinized licensed profession in the United States. A single mistake or accusation can lead to devastating personal and professional consequences, potentially ending their careers overnight. What makes these accusations especially dangerous is that there is often little objective evidence for investigators to go through. For example, in allegations of sexual misconduct during a physical examination, there may be few, if any, disinterested witnesses who saw the exam. Even if the exam was routine or medically necessary, there is still potential room for abuse to have happened.
Even if a physician is accused of less serious misconduct or avoids license revocation, formal discipline can still follow them. Since 1990, the US Department of Health and Human Services has maintained the National Practitioner Data Bank to track physicians who have been formally disciplined. If you are licensed in multiple states or wish to work for a different employer, those in charge will almost certainly look to the NPDB while reviewing your application. Any discipline you receive will need to be explained, if it does not result in your application being immediately trashed.
Medical Professionals Trust the LLF National Law Firm to Fight for Them
When those in medicine are accused of wrongdoing, investigators and regulators often take a “guilty until proven innocent” approach. This means that any statements you make to the authorities can be twisted against you or taken out of context. Every day, good doctors and nurses think, “It’s just a simple misunderstanding, I’m sure we can hammer this all out, and then are shocked to learn that their good faith efforts are turned against them.
That is why calling the LLF National Law Firm Professional License Defense Team gives you the best chance of keeping your career intact. We have many years of experience defending medical professionals coast-to-coast. Our team can help you draft statements to medical boards and can help you testify with the confidence that you need. Call us today at 888.535.3686 or send us a private online message.