Whether you practice at Duke University Hospital, UNC Hospitals, or any of the many excellent private medical practices in the Piedmont region, a complaint filed against you can put your physician license, and therefore your reputation and livelihood, at risk. It is crucial to reach out to a Durham physician license defense lawyer from North State Law right away.
The dedicated legal team at North State Law has been assisting North Carolina physicians for years when they are facing complaints or disciplinary actions. We understand all that is at stake and are passionate about helping medical professionals get back to the career they love.
The physician workforce increased in North Carolina between 2014 and 2024, and the Triangle is becoming one of the fastest-growing economic areas. There are 82.2 physicians per 10,000 residents in Durham County, one of the highest doctor-to-patient ratios in the state and country. In 2024, the number of complaints to the North Carolina Medical Board, however, rose by an incredible 74%.
When a peer, patient, or employer makes a complaint with the North Carolina Medical Board (NCMB), it can make all the hard work you have put into your career feel like it’s not worth it.
Allegations can stem from mistakes, errors, or misunderstandings. Once they are reported to NCMB, the Board must decide whether the physician violated the Medical Practice Act, a North Carolina state law that governs physicians and other medical professionals. If NCMB feels an investigation is warranted, they must allow you to hire a medical license defense attorney to represent you.
If you are notified of an impending investigation, your first step should be to hire a physician license defense lawyer from North State Law. According to N.C. General Statute 90-14, the Board may impose the following discipline:
With so much at stake, having a qualified attorney who focuses on defending licensed professionals (rather than working with or for a professional Board) may make the difference between a public reprimand and a dismissed complaint in Durham.
At North State Law, our Durham physician license defense lawyers have vast experience defending medical professionals from accusations of malpractice or unethical violations. The process of a formal hearing is very similar to a courtroom trial. It includes opening and closing statements, witnesses, and presentation of evidence.
Our effective medical license defense lawyers are practiced in gathering evidence, conducting witness interviews, and defending against unfounded or misguided claims. We know what evidence is needed and can ask any witnesses the right questions to support your case.
The Board professional presiding over any formal hearing will have an attorney to advise them. At North State Law, we understand that you should have the same fighting chance, with seasoned legal counsel to defend you, present your case, and summarize any additional details in the closing statement.
Many types of complaints or allegations can trigger a medical license investigation for physicians in Durham. Some of the most common complaints or allegations revolve around substandard care, drug or alcohol abuse, drug theft, unprofessional or unethical conduct, or licensing issues. Other complaints may include immoral conduct, attempting to provide an abortion contrary to the law, or lying to the North Carolina Medical Board.
The NCMB investigates complaints about physicians by first sending them a written copy of the complaint. The physician must respond in writing to the complaint, including their involvement in any part of the complaint under investigation. The Board investigator then presents any evidence, including your response, to members of the Board to determine whether your case needs further action, including and up to a hearing.
As soon as a doctor receives notice of a complaint or investigation, they should contact a North State Law physician license defense attorney. Hiring a physician license defense lawyer can be an essential next step in the process to keep your response as safe for your case as possible while still providing all essential details. A veteran attorney can present options before the Board decides on a stressful, drawn-out hearing that can negatively impact your career.
A Durham physician license defense lawyer may help protect a doctor’s license, career, and reputation by counseling them on their options, gathering evidence to support the doctor’s position, understanding physician license defense laws, and negotiating settlements with the Board. Our skilled attorneys are experienced trial court lawyers, so they have the necessary familiarity with trial-like disciplinary hearings.
We can also question evidence when appropriate, provide alternative options for disciplinary actions, and attempt to guide the Board toward a favorable solution.
At North State Law, our Durham physician license defense lawyers have years of experience defending professional licenses in front of boards. As licensed professionals ourselves, we understand that your license is your livelihood, and your reputation is essential for keeping and gaining clients.
North State Law clients describe us as “professional,” “caring,” “attentive,” and say we will “thoroughly work through your case and make sure no stone is unturned.” Our dedicated attorneys value the work medical professionals do, and we ensure our clients know that. If you are the subject of a North Carolina Medical Board complaint, contact us today for a free discovery call. Let us handle the legal details so you can focus on the career you worked so hard to build.
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