Practicing Physicians May Have Suspended Licenses in Other States
December 25, 2018
As patients, we place a great deal of trust in our healthcare providers. In most cases, that trust is warranted. However, most people would likely consider it a violation of trust if they found out that their physician had his or her license suspended in another state as a result of serious medical errors or unprofessional conduct, yet, was able to simply relocate to another state and continue practicing medicine. Too often, after moving to a new state, physicians simply repeat the same mistakes with other patients. This can seriously jeopardize the health and safety of patients under their care.
Examples of Physicians Who Abuse the System
- A physician practicing in Louisiana allegedly removed a healthy kidney from a patient who was scheduled for colon surgery. He gave up his medical license and relocated to California, where he continued practicing medicine. Medical records show that he went on to remove a woman’s fallopian tube, thinking it was her appendix, which had already been removed. He again surrendered his license, then moved to Ohio, where he currently works at an urgent care clinic in Cincinnati.
- A heart surgeon in Wisconsin surrendered his license after malpractice lawsuits were filed against him by the families of two patients who died under his care. He moved to New York, where he already had a license, and continues to practice there.
- A neurologist from New Jersey agreed to surrender his license after criminal charges were filed against him for paying kickbacks to other medical professionals for referrals, and for submitting insurance claims for procedures that were not done. After agreeing to surrender his New Jersey medical license, he now practices medicine in California, where he is in good standing.
In some cases, a physician will surrender his or her license to avoid an expensive and time-consuming hearing before a state medical board. While this allows physicians to continue treating patients, it puts those patients at risk for potentially serious medical mistakes. Unfortunately, records about accusations against physicians are not available to the public. However, state medical boards have websites, which the general public has access to, allowing them to check a physician’s records. If a patient knows that his or her doctor practiced in another state before relocating to the state where he or she currently practices, the patient can go to that state’s medical board website to check the physician’s background.
When a physician has a history of medical errors and suspended licenses, yet he or she continues to make serious medical errors or behaves in a way that compromises a patient’s health and safety, the patient may file a medical malpractice lawsuit against the doctor. An experienced medical malpractice lawyer can recommend the best legal course of action and ensure that the patient’s rights are protected.
Baltimore Medical Malpractice Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Advocate for Victims of Medical Negligence
If you have been injured while under the care of a physician who has a history of medical errors and suspended licenses, you are urged to contact the Baltimore medical malpractice lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton as soon as possible. We will thoroughly investigate your physicians’ medical records and determine whether he or she was negligent in any way. Our experienced team will secure the maximum financial compensation you deserve. To schedule a free, confidential consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.
Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson, allowing us to represent medical malpractice victims in Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Prince George’s County, Queen Anne’s County, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.
