It is taken very seriously when a medical professional is accused of misconduct. It is because of this that an investigation will take place, calling the professional’s entire practice into question. This can lead to the possibility of the individual losing their medical license and the ability to practice medicine. These situations can be stressful for anyone, especially if you are uninsured. Continue reading below to learn more about these situations and contact an experienced New York medical defense attorney for assistance.
What is Considered Medical Misconduct?
Medical professionals who are accused of misconduct will receive a letter from the Office of Professional Medical Conduct (OPMC). This states the plan to investigate their behavior regarding what they were accused of. Actions that a medical professional may commit that can warrant a misconduct investigation can include substance abuse, billing fraud, medical malpractice, insurance fraud, inappropriate sexual relations, and more. When receiving a letter from the OPMC, it is crucial that you hire a medical defense attorney as soon as possible to help protect your career and future.
What Do I Do if I’m an Uninsured Physician?
Medical professionals can purchase the “tail” of their Claims Made Medical Malpractice Insurance Policy. This ensures they have insurance if a claim is brought after a claims-made insurance policy is terminated. Claims-made policies provide coverage for claims that are brought against physicians. If they do not purchase this coverage, it is imperative to retain the services of an attorney during this time. If misconduct is proven, the medical professional will be required to pay all legal bills, expenses of depositions, expenses of experts, and other related expenses. They may also need to settle the case by paying out of their own pocket instead of having it covered by insurance. With a proper attorney, this may be avoided.
What Do I Do if I’m a Retired Physician?
Retired physicians can still be held liable for misconduct even after they are no longer practicing. When facing these situations, they must send the case information to their former insurance carrier. Sometimes, the carrier may be required to provide defense if the retired individual did not have the tail end of their insurance. Even if the case is settled by the insurance company, the individual may also be responsible for paying the company for the coverage. Those in these situations should retain an experienced attorney as well.
Contact our Firm
When a medical professional is accused of misconduct, it is essential that they retain strong legal representation. If you require a medical law attorney for your legal matters, call Paul E. Walker, an experienced New York City OPMC & OPD Lawyer. Please contact the Walker Medical Law firm to set up a free initial consultation.
