Professional podiatrists diagnose and treat ankle and foot conditions. It's a highly-specialized field, one requiring years of training and ongoing education. As a result, people who obtain their licenses in podiatry have invested a considerable amount of time and resources into their careers.
This makes it all the more devastating when one complaint lodged against a podiatrist to a state's licensing board can bring that entire career crashing to the ground.
Are you a podiatrist wondering about the security of your license or ability to practice in your state? No matter which state of the nation you live and work in, an allegation against you can be very concerning.
At the Lento Law Firm, we firmly believe that your investment in your profession shouldn't go to waste. The experienced lawyers on the Lento Law Firm Professional License Defense Team have spent years ensuring that podiatrists coast to coast can protect and even reinstate their licenses after threats to their professional reputation.
Whether your state's licensing board has just opened an investigation into your actions or you're worried that an investigation could be in your future, contact Attorney Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm Professional License Defense Team without delay.
The State Licensing Boards Governing Podiatrist Disciplinary Processes
Depending on your state, you'll be held accountable to a specific state licensing board. For example, if you live in the following states, those boards are:
- In New York — The Podiatry Division of the Office of the Professions
- In Washington State — The Podiatric Medical Board
- In Arizona — The Board of Podiatry Examiners
Each of these boards may have slightly differing procedures. Fortunately, the many lawyers on the Lento Law Firm Professional License Defense Team are well-versed in supporting podiatrists through disciplinary procedures nationwide.
Potential Accusations to Be Aware of as a Professional Podiatrist
Wondering what types of allegations could put your license at risk? These are some of the most common offenses cited against professional podiatrists:
- Insurance fraud. If someone can allege that you overcharged insurance for services or billed insurance for services that you did not deliver, that can constitute insurance fraud.
- Overcharging patients. A different but similar offense is overcharging the patients themselves. Can someone demonstrate that you billed a patient for more than your stated prices? That could be an issue.
- Unprofessional conduct. This is a very general category. It can range from gross negligence to abuse of your patients. Additionally, if someone can allege that you were part of an inappropriate or dual relationship with your patients, that could constitute a rationale for license revocation.
- Medication abuse. Podiatrists may prescribe medications. If there is a reason for your state licensing board to believe that you may have maintained your inventory poorly, issued inaccurate prescriptions, or used medicines for yourself, you could risk disciplinary action.
- Alcohol or substance abuse. If it's demonstrable that you are dealing with a substance abuse challenge yourself, your patients and your state's licensing board may have reasonable doubt about your ability to treat patients. As a result, you could suddenly have to undergo a state investigation.
This is not an exhaustive list. If, for example, you are convicted of a DUI/DWI or another type of crime, your state's licensing board could step in and revoke your ability to practice.
Which leaves you with one big question: What can you do if this happens?
How to Handle an Investigation from Your State's Podiatry Licensing Board
After your state's licensing board has decided to initiate an investigation into your allegedly-problematic professional actions, some version of the following sequence of events will take place:
- An investigation. The board will look for evidence to see if they can substantiate the complaint against you.
- A consent order. The board may settle the matter via a consent order if there's enough evidence to work with. This means that you don't have to attend a formal hearing, and your license is likely not revoked, but you do need to submit to some form of disciplinary action and will need to confess to the allegations against you.
- A formal hearing. If the board doesn't opt for a consent order, you may have to stand before board representatives to argue your case.
- A recommendation for disciplinary action. At the end of the hearing, the board will decide the consequences due in your case.
This isn't necessarily the end of the road. You can file an appeal, and if your license is revoked, you should be able to work towards reinstatement.
However, it might not come to that if you're working with a good defense team. The Lento Law Firm Professional License Defense Team is ready to provide experienced representation and negotiation skills to help you protect your future, reputation, and career.
Protect Your Podiatry License with the Support of the Lento Law Firm Team
Are you in a situation where your podiatry license is in jeopardy?
Whether your state's licensing board has initiated a license investigation against you or you're set to appear before your state's licensing board in a high-stakes hearing, you need a plan.
More than that: You need a team with professional experience defending nationwide podiatrists from unfair, undue punishments.
You need the experience of Attorney Joseph D. Lento and his Professional License Defense Team. If you're interested in surviving an investigation into your professional behavior with your license intact, the Lento Law Firm Professional License Defense Team is ready to support you. Whether you need help gathering witnesses and evidence to support your side of the story or practiced, strategic assistance with a strong defense, the Lento Law Firm Professional License Defense Team can provide what you need.
The Lento Law Firm Professional License Defense Team has helped medical professionals navigate license investigations for years. No matter where you are nationwide, they can do the same for you! Call 888.535.3686 to learn more about your options today.
