Physicians - Medical Doctors, Surgeons, and Osteopaths

At the end of an investigation, the medical board will decide whether to file a formal accusation. Often times, after an accusation is filed the Doctor, along with his lawyer, and the board will reach a settlement, and sometimes even convince the board to dismiss the accusation. Unfortunately, sometimes the medical board is not interested in settling, forcing the physician to go to an administrative hearing.

A hearing is basically a trial. The medical board, represented by the Attorney General’s office, will argue that the physicians license should be suspended or revoked. Obviously, the physician and their attorney will argue that the physician deserves to continue practicing medicine. The hearings are in front of an administrative law judge who will decide whether or not the physician can keep his license and continue to practice. However, the medical board reserves the right to disregard the administrative law judge’s ruling, and revoke the license anyway. Hence, settling with the board before it gets to that point is in the physicians best interest.