Tag Archive for: medical license defense attorney in Kansas

The Vital Role of a License Defense Attorney in Facing Missouri Nursing Board Investigations

/in /by

For nurses in the state of Missouri, the prospect of facing an investigation by the Missouri Nursing Board can be a daunting and stressful experience. The Nursing Board is responsible for regulating nursing practice in the state, and they take their duty seriously. When an investigation is initiated, it is crucial for nurses to understand the importance of having a license defense attorney by their side. In this article, we will delve into the reasons why nurses should seek legal representation when facing Nursing Board investigations in Missouri.

  1. Expertise in Nursing License Regulations

License defense attorneys specialize in understanding the intricate regulations and laws governing nursing licenses in Missouri. They are well-versed in the Missouri Nurse Practice Act, as well as the specific rules and regulations set forth by the Missouri Nursing Board. This knowledge is invaluable when navigating a complex legal process, ensuring that nurses’ rights are protected and that they can make informed decisions throughout the investigation.

  1. Protecting Your Rights

When facing a Nursing Board investigation, nurses have certain legal rights that must be upheld. A license defense attorney will advocate for the preservation of these rights, such as the right to remain silent, the right to due process, and the right to legal representation. Having an attorney ensures that these rights are not violated during the investigative process.

  1. Thorough Investigation and Preparation

License defense attorneys will conduct their own investigations to gather all relevant information and evidence related to the case. This includes interviewing witnesses, obtaining medical records, and reviewing documentation. Thorough preparation is crucial in building a strong defense and presenting a compelling case to the Nursing Board.

  1. Guidance Through the Process

Facing a Nursing Board investigation can be an intimidating process, often marked by uncertainty and anxiety. A license defense attorney provides much-needed guidance and support, helping nurses navigate the complex procedural steps, deadlines, and requirements of the investigation. They will prepare nurses for interviews, hearings, and any necessary testimony, ensuring that they are well-prepared at every stage.

  1. Negotiating on Your Behalf

In many cases, a license defense attorney can negotiate with the Nursing Board on behalf of the nurse. This negotiation can result in a more favorable outcome, such as a reduced penalty or the avoidance of license suspension or revocation. Attorneys have the experience and skills necessary to engage in productive discussions with the Nursing Board’s representatives.

  1. Representation at Hearings

If a formal hearing is required, a license defense attorney will serve as the nurse’s advocate, presenting evidence and arguments to support their case. This legal representation is crucial, as hearings can be adversarial and complex, and nurses may face questioning from the Nursing Board’s legal counsel.

  1. Pursuing Appeals if Necessary

In cases where the Nursing Board imposes adverse decisions, such as license suspension or revocation, a license defense attorney can help nurses pursue appeals through the appropriate legal channels. Appeals often involve complex legal processes, and having an attorney with experience in appellate law is essential.

A Final Word About Missouri Nursing Board Investigations

Facing an investigation by the Missouri Nursing Board can be a challenging and stressful experience for nurses. However, enlisting the services of a license defense attorney is a crucial step in protecting one’s nursing career and rights. These experienced professionals provide the expertise, advocacy, and support necessary to navigate the investigative process, negotiate on behalf of the nurse, and, if necessary, pursue appeals. When your nursing license and livelihood are at stake, the guidance and representation of a license defense attorney can make all the difference in achieving a favorable outcome.

Secure Your Professional License

At Sanger Law Office, our mission is to empower professionals with the knowledge and defense mechanisms essential for their career trajectory. Situated at 5040 Bob Billings Parkway, Suite C-1 in Lawrence, KS, we offer our expertise to individuals across Kansas and Missouri. Don’t let myths muddy your judgments. Contact us today at 785-979-4353 (Kansas) or 816-520-8040 (Missouri) to explore how we can sculpt a defense strategy tailored to your unique situation.

Why an Attorney Can Help You Protect Your Medical License During a Medical Board Hearing

/in /by

Medical professionals dedicate years of their lives to acquiring the knowledge and skills necessary to practice medicine. However, their medical licenses can be at risk when facing a medical board hearing. These hearings, which determine disciplinary actions or license revocation, require a strong defense. In such critical situations, having an experienced attorney by your side can be invaluable. This article explores the reasons why an attorney can help protect your medical license during a medical board hearing.

1. Legal Expertise and Understanding:

Navigating the complex legal landscape of medical board hearings requires a deep understanding of medical licensing laws, regulations, and procedures. Attorneys specializing in medical license defense possess the necessary expertise and knowledge to interpret and apply these laws effectively. They can guide you through the entire process, ensuring your rights are protected, and help you build a solid defense strategy tailored to your specific case.

2. Preparation and Investigation:

Preparing for a medical board hearing involves extensive documentation, gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and conducting thorough investigations. An attorney can handle these crucial aspects on your behalf, ensuring that all relevant information is collected, organized, and presented effectively during the hearing. Their expertise in legal research and investigation can uncover critical details that can strengthen your defense and mitigate any potential allegations against your medical license.

3. Defense Strategy:

Crafting a solid defense strategy is essential in medical board hearings. Attorneys with experience in medical license defense can assess the allegations against you, identify weaknesses in the case, and develop a strong defense strategy tailored to your specific circumstances. They will advocate for your rights, challenge evidence or witnesses if necessary, and present compelling arguments on your behalf. A well-prepared defense strategy can significantly increase your chances of a favorable outcome.

4. Understanding the Administrative Process:

Medical board hearings follow specific administrative procedures, and it is crucial to comply with these protocols to ensure a fair and successful defense. Attorneys who specialize in medical license defense have a deep understanding of the administrative process, including deadlines, paperwork requirements, and hearing protocols. They will guide you through each step, ensuring compliance and preventing any missteps that could jeopardize your case.

5. Effective Communication and Negotiation:

An attorney acts as your advocate during a medical board hearing, representing your best interests and communicating on your behalf. They have the experience and skills to effectively negotiate with the medical board, presenting your case persuasively and professionally. Attorneys can also help manage the emotional aspects of the process, providing support and guidance during what can be a stressful and challenging time.

6. Appeals and Post-Hearing Assistance:

If the outcome of a medical board hearing is unfavorable, an attorney can guide you through the appeals process. They can assess the viability of an appeal, analyze the previous proceedings, and develop a strong legal argument to present before an appeals board. Additionally, attorneys can provide post-hearing assistance, such as advising on potential conditions or restrictions on your medical license, ensuring compliance with disciplinary measures, and helping you regain your professional standing.

Facing a medical board hearing can be an overwhelming and potentially career-altering experience. Engaging the services of an attorney specializing in medical license defense is crucial for protecting your medical license and ensuring a fair process. Their legal expertise, preparation, defense strategy, understanding of administrative procedures, effective communication, and post-hearing assistance are invaluable assets in safeguarding your professional reputation and allowing you to continue serving patients in your chosen field of medicine.

Kansas and Missouri Psychologists – How to Fight an Unsubstantiated Complaint

/in /by

As a psychologist, patients put their trust in you.  They share their feelings, secrets, concerns and their entire life stories, seeking help to deal with the problems they are facing in their lives.  You have a tough job.  You have to remain impartial but still assist your patients in learning how to get through tough times, and get on the right track in their lives.  However, it is not uncommon for a patient to become too close to his or her psychologist and misinterpret the scope of the relationship.

Patients may feel so close to their psychologists that they develop romantic feelings.  They may believe these feelings are being reciprocated by misunderstanding their psychologists’ kind and receptive behavior.  For example, a patient may start believing that his or her psychologist is the comforting companion he or she always wanted, instead of realizing that the patient needs to take what is learned in therapy sessions and apply it to their personal lives.

Psychologists face a slippery slope where they may need to take a step back when they realize their patients are getting too close.  If a psychologist does tell his or her patient that it would be best to cut ties with the psychologist-patient relationship, the patient may get upset and decide to file a complaint in retaliation.  This is an unfortunate risk of being a psychologist.

In order to defend yourself when your license is at risk for something you did not do, you need to be sure to document in great detail every conversation you have with your patient.  You also need to document certain behaviors you believe are inappropriate.  If you are able to record conversations of your therapy sessions with the consent of your patients, this will help to gather evidence in your favor.  If you keep a good record of everything, you will have the documentation you need to defend yourself against an invalid complaint.

How to Prevent Complaints in the First Place

It isn’t always possible to predict with certainty how a patient will behave, but there are a few steps you can take to help a patient understand your role as a psychologist and his or her role as a patient.  First, you should tell your patient at the first meeting that the relationship is strictly limited in scope to that of a psychologist-patient relationship.  Second, you should have your patient sign a consent/agreement form outlining that the patient consents to receive counseling within the parameters of the law and agrees to not cross the line and attempt to form a romantic relationship.  If the patient does cross the line, the patient agrees that the psychologist-patient relationship should be terminated.  Third, you should remind your patient periodically of the parameters of the relationship should the patient exhibit behaviors that are inappropriate.

You will have patients from all walks of life.  You will have patients that understand what to expect from counseling or therapy, and you will have patients that attempt to cross the line.  You may have patients that retaliate against you for your actions of rejecting a romantic relationship.  When a patient retaliates, you need the assistance of a professional license defense attorney.

Contact the Sanger Law Office Today to Schedule Your Free Consultation

A complaint based on false allegations could tarnish your reputation as a psychologist.  If you are facing a complaint filed by a patient that is completely unfounded and not based on fact, you need to speak with our professional license defense attorney as soon as possible.  Danielle Sanger of the Sanger Law Office has assisted clients just like you who have faced allegations that are simply not true.  Don’t let a false complaint prevent you from practicing as a psychologist.  Contact the Sanger Law Office today for a free consultation to discuss your case.  You may contact us online or call us at 785-979-4353.

Improper Prescribing Practices in Kansas – The #1 Reason for Being Subject to Disciplinary Action

/in /by

The pharmaceutical industry is booming.  Physicians are prescribing patients with a variety of medications today to treat an array of health issues, ranging from minor allergies to severe anxiety disorders to pain management.  Most Kansas citizens have at least one prescription medication and many have multiple prescriptions.  While there are patients who are in need of medication, many physicians are over-prescribing and allowing patients to take medications they may not really need.

The Kansas State Board of Healing Arts takes improper prescribing very seriously.  Physicians are often disciplined for their prescribing practices and are at risk for losing their licenses to practice medicine.  In fact, overprescribing is the number one reason physicians are disciplined in Kansas.  Physician prescribing practices are under a close microscope and physicians must be extremely careful in how they prescribe medication and to what patients.

Selling pharmaceuticals is a big business.  It is not surprising that many physicians feel the need and pressure to prescribe particular medications.  Pharmaceutical drug representatives encourage physicians to promote their company’s drugs.  The drive for generating revenue in the pharmaceutical industry has spilled over into the physician-patient relationship.  You want what’s best for your patient, and when there’s a medication for most ailments today, it is difficult to end a patient appointment without giving that patient a prescription for some medication.

There are many reasons to be wary of what you prescribe to patients and how often.  Addiction is a big problem that many patients suffer from and this typically involves the use of pain medications, but not always.  Any medication that may impair a patient’s ability to function that is potentially addictive can have severe consequences for both the patient and you, as the physician.

For example, if you believe a patient has an addiction to pain medication yet you continue to prescribe the medication, and the patient ends up harming a third-party in a car accident or other altercation, the patient may place the blame on you for giving the patient a medication that you know the patient is addicted to.  Obviously, you did not directly harm the victim of the car accident.  However, the patient may look to blame anyone else but him or herself.  This may result in the patient filing a complaint with the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts, and before you know it, you are the subject of an investigation.

Further, pharmacies are now keeping track of controlled substances that are being prescribed.  This tracks not only the patient’s use of the drugs, but the physician who is prescribing the controlled substance.  This may alert the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts that you are a physician that prescribes particular medications on a regular basis to many different patients.

With the technology today, you, as a physician, should assume that every move you make is being tracked.  You should use your best judgment as a medical professional and prescribe medication when you believe your patient truly needs it and the medication is the best of any option for treatment.  But, if you find yourself prescribing medication for nearly every patient, and especially prescribing any medication that may alter or impair a patient’s behavior, be aware that you may be subject to disciplinary action and your medical license could be on the line.

If you are a physician who has received a notice of potential disciplinary action due to improper prescribing practices, or if you want advice on what constitutes proper prescribing practices, contact an attorney experienced in the field of defending licensed professionals.  Danielle Sanger of the Sanger Law Office has the knowledge, drive and expertise to defend you and help protect your medical license in the state of Kansas.  The Sanger Law Office will provide you with a free consultation.  Contact our office today to schedule an appointment by calling (785) 979-4353.  Danielle Sanger will help you understand your responsibilities for practicing medicine in Kansas.