Criminal Defense Lawyers

Physical Therapy Board of California License Defense Lawyers

Fighting Back Against Physical Therapy License Discipline in California

Physical therapists provide critical healthcare services. But even small mistakes can trigger huge headaches from the Physical Therapy Board of California (PTBC). If you get a complaint or disciplinary notice, don’t panic. You have rights. A good lawyer can help.

What Gets Physical Therapists in Trouble with the PTBC?

The PTBC investigates complaints about stuff like:

• Patients claiming you did something wrong, gave poor care, etc. Even if it’s bogus, they’ll look into it. Learn your rights when facing false patient allegations.
• Not finishing all your continuing education credits on time. Easy to forget a deadline when you’re busy helping patients!
• Letting your license lapse by mistake. Whoops!
• Getting arrested for something like a DUI. Even if it was a one-time mistake.
• Messing up on rules about supervising assistants. More hassle from the PTBC.
• Stretching the truth in ads and marketing materials. That cool “97% Success Rate” claim probably wasn’t a great idea.
• Substance abuse. The board will show zero tolerance.
• Sloppy billing mistakes that look fraudulent. Not good when you rely on those reimbursement checks!

Some complaints happen because patients don’t get the impossible miracles they wanted. Others stem from honest errors physical therapists make, like anyone else. Either way, the PTBC takes all complaints very seriously. Their duty is to protect public safety.

What Happens in a Physical Therapy License Investigation?

If the PTBC thinks you broke any rules, they’ll launch an investigation. Here’s the usual process:

1. You get a scary letter saying you’re under investigation. Adrenaline rush!
2. In 15 days or less, you must submit a detailed written response. Better make it good!
3. The PTBC reviews your side of the story. They’ll either close the case or decide to get tough.
4. If they want to discipline you, they issue a Statement of Issues detailing alleged violations. Uh oh.
5. A judge holds a hearing where you and the PTBC each make your case. This is your big chance!
6. The judge decides if you’re guilty and recommends a punishment to the board. Moment of truth.
7. The PTBC reviews what the judge said and formally imposes discipline. From a slap on the wrist to losing your license entirely.

These cases can drag on for many stressful months. Your lawyer can ask for extensions and delays to give you time to build your defense.

What Discipline Can the Physical Therapy Board Impose?

If you lose at a hearing, the PTBC can:

• Reprimand you. A black mark on your record.
• Put you on probation. More oversight of your work.
• Suspend your license. No working for a set time.
• Revoke your license. Career over.
• Fine you up to $5,000 per violation. Ouch!
• Restrict your practice. No more outpatient clinics, for example.
• Order continuing education. More classes, more expenses.
• Make you do community service. The PTBC gets creative with punishments.
• Require restitution to patients. Just what you need – more bills.

The punishment depends on things like how bad the violations were and whether you cooperated. A lawyer might help you dodge the harshest penalties.

Why You Need a Physical Therapy License Defense Lawyer

Facing the PTBC alone feels scary and overwhelming. But a lawyer can help big time by:

• Reviewing your case and figuring out the best defense strategies. Their expertise provides a huge advantage.
• Explaining your rights and options, so you understand what you’re up against. Knowledge is power.
• Taking over communication with the PTBC. You can stop stressing over every email and letter.
• Asking for more time from the board if you need it. No need to rush your responses.
• Digging up documents and evidence to disprove the charges against you. An extra set of eyes can find things you miss.
• Preparing your written briefs and hearing testimony. A lawyer can put your best case forward.
• Grilling the PTBC’s witnesses at the hearing. It’s satisfying to see your accusers squirm!
• Making persuasive legal arguments to avoid discipline or reduce the penalties. The right lawyer knows all the angles.
• Negotiating settlements with the board when appropriate. Maybe you can make a deal.
• Guiding you through appeals if the initial decision goes against you. The fight may not be over.

Having an experienced lawyer who specializes in PT license defense can make a huge difference in getting the best outcome.

Smart Defenses Against Physical Therapy License Discipline

Your lawyer has many tools to defend your license. For example:

• No jurisdiction. The PTBC has no authority over issues that happened outside California or outside the scope of your practice.
• It wasn’t my fault! Blame supervisees, staff, or other parties who actually made the errors.
• No rule breaking occurred. Fight allegations with evidence proving your innocence.
• No harm, no foul. Even if mistakes happened, show patients didn’t suffer any real consequences.
• Unfair targeting. Argue the proposed discipline is much harsher than in similar past cases. Make them look like bullies.
• Due process violations. Claim your right to fair proceedings was infringed in some way. Gets charges dismissed on technicalities.
• Affirmative defenses. Argue special circumstances justified your actions, like self-defense or emergency exceptions.

A creative, determined lawyer tailors the defense strategy to your unique situation for the best shot at success.

Avoiding Physical Therapy License Headaches

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Here are some tips to stay off the PTBC’s radar:

• Document everything about patients – evaluations, treatments, progress, issues, consent, etc. Cover your butt.
• Watch assistants, aides, and students like a hawk. Their mistakes become your problem.
• Triple check billing and insurance claims. Sloppiness can look criminal.
• Follow best practices for advertising to avoid trouble.