How Can an Attorney Help Me Defend My Nursing License?
By Barbara Forshier on September 7th, 2022 in
An attorney can certainly help you defend your license. The effectiveness of the defense depends on the allegations you’re facing and the amount of evidence against you. If you are facing allegations for something you did and that you admit to, your nursing license attorney may primarily engage in damage control. This involves limiting the amount of discipline you receive and trying to lay the groundwork for you to eventually regain full use of your license in the future. If the allegations you’re facing are untrue, your attorney will work to have them completely dismissed. As you can see, an attorney can help you defend your license, however, the magnitude of what they are able to achieve will vary on a case-by-case nature.
The wide range of actions an attorney takes to support you during this time highlights the need for an attorney with extensive experience in license defense. You may find that some lawyers work in this area of practice for an extra source of clients and income, while still focusing mainly on personal injury, criminal defense, or other areas. However, if you choose an attorney that only works on license defense cases, you may find that they have a much greater understanding of how your licensing board works, how they decide to pursue allegations against you, and what it takes to have them dismissed. Your entire career is on the line, and you deserve an attorney who will work for it as hard as you do. If you are in need of an experienced nursing license defense attorney, contact Barb Forshier of Forshier Law today.
How Do I Choose an Attorney to Help Me Defend My License Before My Health Licensing Board?
- You want to be sure that the attorney has expertise in defending Licensees before Health Licensing Boards (“HLB”). Just like a surgeon, an attorney who practices specifically in this area will have the requisite knowledge of the process and potential outcomes. The best surgeon is one who has done a procedure many times. Ask how many times the attorney has done this type of representation.
- A nurse-attorney knows the world of healthcare. There is a unique perspective gained when your attorney has also done your work.
- How are the attorney’s reviews on sites such as AVVO? Do your research. This is your license, your ability to earn a living.
- You want an attorney who is responsive. This should be evident in their online reviews. When you have a question, you do not want to wait for an answer.
- Does the attorney have experience with the opposing side, the licensing board? This is similar to the first point; how many cases has the attorney had before the licensing board? The Boards are represented by the Attorney General’s office. An attorney who practices in this area will also know the attorneys from the AG’s office.
- Can the attorney answer your questions off the top of their head? An attorney who works in this area will likely be able to answer most questions with a high degree of certainty in short order.
- The attorney should have a clear fee structure. Many attorneys use a flat fee agreement. When a flat fee is used you know what the fee will be upfront. You will not be charged for every email or phone call.
- Do you have malpractice liability insurance? Although Nurse Attorneys do not receive financial incentives for referrals, Nurses Service Organization (NSO) a large malpractice insurer, refers to attorneys who are members of The American Association of Nurse Attorneys (TAANA). Ask yourself why?
