If a disgruntled patient, employee or colleague accuses a doctor of sexual misconduct, the allegation could lead to civil and administrative complaints and, in some cases, criminal charges. A complaint of sexual misconduct or inappropriate contact can have negative effects on your career and professional status; criminal charges can ruin your career, deplete your assets and impact your freedom.
If you have been accused of inappropriate sexual contact with a patient, employee or colleague, you need immediate help from a defense attorney experienced in working with healthcare professionals to protect their medical licenses and careers. Attorney Jonathan Rose is a skilled Florida healthcare defense attorney with twenty-one years of experience and the record of success you need to protect your career and fight for your rights.
Complaints against Florida Doctors for Sexual Misconduct
Often, patients’ complaints of sexual misconduct occur because they do not understand a procedure or examination or are heavily medicated, or may have been diagnosed with significant mental illness. There may even be more sinister motives, such as laying the foundation for a civil lawsuit. If there were no impartial witnesses to the alleged act, the whole case depends on your word and explanation versus the patient’s perception and claim.
Typically, these claims involve allegations of:
- Improper conduct during a physical examination
- Violations of personal boundaries
- Inappropriate touching
- Sexual relations
- Sexual assault
- Other similar allegations
Even if the allegations are false, physicians accused of inappropriate contact with a patient can face license suspension or revocation and stiff fines. According to section 458.331 of the Florida Statutes, using your influence with a patient to engage in sexual activity is grounds for license discipline, so even if there are no criminal or civil charges filed, the Department of Health can take action against your license. Therefore, it is essential to be proactive in getting help from a qualified medical license defense attorney.
A strong, early defense prepared with the help of an experienced healthcare defense attorney can make the difference between being charged with a crime and losing your medical license and no charges being filed and no action against your license being taken.
Why Florida Doctors Need a Healthcare Defense Attorney to Fight Allegations of Sexual Misconduct
If a complaint of inappropriate conduct has been filed or potentially could be filed against you with the Florida Department of Health, it is important to talk with a defense attorney experienced in defending physicians’ medical licenses as soon as possible. Complaints against doctors are multi-faceted, so you need an attorney who is familiar with Florida’s criminal and civil court procedures, as well as the Department of Health’s administrative processes.
Other Florida defense attorneys may be able to represent you in civil or criminal court, but handling administrative issues with the Department of Health requires specific experience and knowledge that only attorneys who specialize in healthcare defense have. Their contextual knowledge gives you a distinct advantage when it comes to successfully navigating the system and preventing suspension or revocation of your medical license. Jonathan Rose’s unique qualifications provide him with the knowledge and experience to be a strong and effective advocate in both criminal and administrative allegations of sexual misconduct.
Protecting Your Florida Medical License
As your defense attorney, Jonathan Rose will work proactively to protect your rights and your license. He will lay the groundwork for getting the complaint dismissed and charges dropped, working diligently to protect your reputation, career, income and freedom. This may include:
- Investigating and questioning the complainant’s credibility
- Challenging the legitimacy of the allegations
- Challenging the admissibility of evidence
- Finding flaws in the Department’s and/or prosecutor’s case
- Preparing strong expert testimony and evidence for you
- Undergoing polygraph or other forensic testing
- Negotiating strenuously to have the complaint sealed and charges dismissed
Get the Specialized Legal Help You Need to Defend Your Florida Medical License against Allegations of Inappropriate Contact
When your medical license and career as a physician are being threatened, you need an attorney who will fight relentlessly to protect your rights and your future. You need an attorney who has successful specialized experience in criminal defense and healthcare law in state, federal, and administrative courts.
Jonathan Rose has twenty-one years of experience in state and federal court. He has helped many Florida doctors successfully fight allegations of wrongdoing, administrative complaints, license suspensions, and criminal charges and has the expertise in defense and healthcare law you need to protect your medical license, career, and future.