A former patient formally accusing you of medical misconduct may significantly change the trajectory of your professional life. So much so that your professional life as a practicing physician may end as you know it. Understandably so, this may be your greatest fear idealized. In this case, please read on to discover whether you are still permitted to practice medicine after a misconduct claim is made against you and how one of the seasoned New York physician defense lawyers at Walker Medical Law can help get your career back on track.
Can I still practice medicine after a medical misconduct claim?
Essentially, your ability to practice medicine may depend on the outcome of your medical misconduct claim. That is, you may inevitably have to attend a hearing with the New York State Department of Health’s Office of Professional Medical Conduct (OPMC) or Office of Professional Discipline (OPD). Here, the Board may ultimately give you a guilty or not guilty verdict. If they find you guilty, they may punish you by taking away your medical license. Now, they may either temporarily suspend it or permanently revoke it. Or, they may temporarily or permanently bar you from practicing a certain field of medicine or conducting certain medical procedures. In the end, it is up to the specifics of your case.
But if the Board declares you not guilty, your medical license may remain intact. Better yet, they may dismiss your case before it comes time for them to decide on this. Of note, your case may be dismissed early if the plaintiff fails to fulfill their burden of proof, meet the required deadline to file, or otherwise.
Will my past medical misconduct claim be made public information?
Once you finally get your medical license back after it was temporarily taken away, you may assume that this ugly experience is finally behind you. However, you must understand that this past disciplinary action may be made public information. Specifically, prospective patients may use the Physician Search feature on the New York State Department of Health’s website. And your being found guilty of medical misconduct may be disclosed under your physician profile. This is not to mention the likeliness that prospective employers will look you up in the same manner.
On the other hand, though, your medical misconduct case may not be published if it did not result in a statement of charges or a final disciplinary action. In other words, if you were found not guilty or you were dismissed early. This is one of the many reasons it is important to fight for your case from very early on. In conclusion, one of the competent New York physician defense lawyers can help kickstart your case today. Our team at Walker Medical Law will happily take on your case.
