Why Hire An Attorney

     Disciplinary investigations, actions, and orders sought and issued  against physicians by the Texas Medical Board (TMB) have increased  dramatically over the last few years. While standard-of-care complaints  comprise approximately one-half of all investigations, chemical  dependency, sexual boundary violations, non-therapeutic prescribing, the  failure to maintain adequate charts and records, and the commission and  conviction of crimes also account for a significant number of  misconduct investigations and disciplinary proceedings against a medical  license and physician registration / license. Punitive sanctions have  risen as have the number of cases being settled with lengthy  disciplinary orders and probated suspensions.

     Investigations are  often initiated by a letter and followed with a phone call from an  investigator. If the Texas Medical Board (TMB) contacts a physician in  this or any other manner, it is prudent for the doctor to consult with  an attorney before responding to the TMB. It is never advisable to meet  with or be questioned by a Texas Medical Board investigator without  legal counsel. In fact, once counsel is retained, the TMB’s  investigators are prohibited from contacting and questioning a physician  directly.