Veterinary Board License Defense Lawyers
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Defending Your Veterinary License: A Guide for Veterinarians Facing Board Complaints
As a veterinarian in Texas, your license to practice is incredibly valuable. It allows you to pursue your passion for caring for animals while building a career. However, complaints to the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (TBVME) can put your license at risk. While the board receives around 300 complaints per year, less than 5% result in serious disciplinary action like suspension or revocation. But even minor infractions can lead to probation or continuing education requirements. If you receive a letter from the TBVME, don’t panic. Work with an experienced veterinary license defense attorney to protect your livelihood.
Common Complaints Against Vets
The TBVME investigates complaints about quality of care, record keeping, prescription practices, supervision of staff, facility conditions, and professional conduct. Some of the most common issues include:
- Allowing unlicensed staff to practice veterinary medicine
- Poor record keeping or failure to keep records
- Unsanitary clinic conditions
- Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis due to negligence
- Mistakes during surgery or treatment
- Over-prescribing or improper prescribing of medications
- Failure to provide after-hours or emergency care
- Breaches of confidentiality
- Fraudulent billing practices
- Practicing without a current license
- Failure to properly supervise students or interns
- Cruelty or negligence involving animals
- Inappropriate relationships with clients
- Substance abuse issues
- Sharing confidential information online
- False or misleading advertising
While some complaints arise from misunderstandings, others make serious allegations of incompetence or misconduct. In either case, a prompt, thoughtful response is essential.
Responding to a Complaint
If you receive a letter from the TBVME, don’t ignore it. You are required to respond within 20 days. Carefully read the entire letter and follow all instructions. Make sure you understand what rules you are accused of violating before crafting your response. Don’t admit fault or speculate about what happened. Stick to the facts and provide any documents requested. Reply via certified mail to confirm delivery.
Hiring an attorney at this stage is wise. An experienced license defense lawyer can advise you on responding thoroughly while avoiding self-incrimination. They will also begin gathering evidence and talking to witnesses. Having an advocate involved early makes the process less intimidating.
The Investigation
After reviewing your response, the TBVME will either dismiss the complaint or continue investigating. Many cases end after the initial response, but more serious allegations will trigger a full probe. This may involve interviews, document requests, site visits, or expert reviews. TBVME investigators have broad authority to dig into the complaint. They can also expand the investigation to include additional allegations.
Now is the time to have counsel at your side. They can interface with investigators on your behalf, protecting your rights. Experienced lawyers know what information the board can legally access and what is privileged. They can gather exculpatory evidence and provide context to paint you in a fair light. Don’t try to handle an investigation alone.
Settlement Agreements
After a thorough investigation, the TBVME may offer a settlement agreement to quickly resolve the case. This avoids a formal hearing, but requires admitting violations and accepting disciplinary action. Typical settlement terms include fines, probation, continuing education, practice limitations, and monitoring. Suspensions over 90 days require a formal hearing.
Settlement can be tempting to end the ordeal, but the long-term consequences matter. An attorney can negotiate better terms to mitigate damage to your reputation and career. They can often get unfounded charges dropped or reduced. While settlements remain confidential, they impact your record. Each state handles them differently when you apply for licensure. Only sign if the deal is truly in your best interest.
Formal Hearings
If no settlement is reached, the case proceeds to a formal hearing. Your attorney will aggressively defend you before the TBVME board. They will argue to dismiss unfounded charges and present evidence to refute legitimate allegations. Many cases at this stage are resolved in the vet’s favor, especially with strong legal advocacy. If some charges remain, your lawyer can contextualize missteps and advocate for minimal discipline. Their expertise and objectivity provide the best chance at a favorable outcome.
Appealing the Decision
If the final decision goes against you, there are still options. The TBVME’s rulings can be appealed to state district court. An attorney can identify grounds like lack of due process, insufficient evidence, or excessive punishment. They will aggressively pursue every angle to overturn or reduce the discipline. In some cases, they may negotiate with the board to reopen the matter for reconsideration. While the appeals process adds more time and legal fees, it can potentially save your career.
Your License Defense Team
Facing a license complaint is stressful, but you don’t have to endure it alone.