Florida Medical Malpractice lawyer discusses recent article describing that Florida’s administrative process against physicians take over a year to resolve.
The Stuart News published a recent article explaining that medical board complaints took an average of 434 days to resolve between 2010 and 2012. The article contrasted Florida’s time frame to Texas which took an average of 282 days and California which averaged 264 days.
According to the article, one of the main reasons for the delay is budget cutbacks. Others say that the lawyers who prosecute these cases are not paid very much so turnover at the Department is high.
The delay can lead to potential dangerous consequences
Many physicians are licensed in multiple states. The article highlighted a cardiologist who was licensed in Texas and in Florida. This doctor’s license was suspended in Texas because of some mental illness but he still holds a valid Florida license. Part of the issue is that the physician is supposed to report any adverse actions within 30 days to the Florida medical board but many physicians do not, and it could take a long time for the state medical board to catch up or learn of the discipline in another state.
Will a jury learn in a medical malpractice case that the doctor was disciplined?
Generally, a jury will not learn in a medical malpractice action that the defendant doctor was sanctioned or has licensing issues, even if the discipline came from the same set of facts as the medical malpractice action.
Florida medical malpractice law can be complex at times, if you have any questions about a Stuart – Port St. Lucie medical malpractice claim, you can give me a call or shoot me an email.