While most doctors are primarily concerned about a medical malpractice suit, a medical board complaint on its own can significantly disrupt your income - and even end a career.As a result, it is vital to handle the complaint in the appropriate manner and avoid making crucial mistakes that can cost you. Here are 9 mistakes to avoid if you are dealing with a medical board complaint.
1. Being uninsured for the costs of medical board complaint defense.
•These costs can be six figures during a time your income may also be disrupted by the complaint.
2. Not being represented by experienced legal counsel in a medical board complaint.
•Your counsel should be experienced in dealing with your local board’s process, members and the applicable issues.
3. Failing to timely inform your insurance carrier about the complaint.
•This can cause your coverage to be reduced or denied.
4. Not timely responding to a complaint by either not responding at all, responding incompletely, or not responding quickly enough to identify qualified counsel and gather evidence required to mount a complete defense.
5. Failing to inform your employer, partners or organization about the complaint as you may be contractually required to do.
•This reporting violation can jeopardize your employment or ownership interest, further compounding your problems.
6. Panicking and responding emotionally to the complaint instead of in an organized, tactical way.
•This includes communication and debate with the complaining patient.
7. Destroying, concealing evidence or conversely, talking about the case to third parties, including answering questions or producing evidence without counsel.
8. Making statements or admissions that may be used against you or that may negate your attorney-client privilege with your counsel.
9. Failure to have an asset protection plan in place before the complaint.
•Acting after your complaint is received to protect your assets from a related medical malpractice lawsuit would almost certainly be considered a fraudulent conveyance/voidable transaction.
