If you have been mistreated by a doctor, take action to ensure the physician is held accountable. You can contact an attorney to see if you have cause for a medical malpractice claim. To help ensure no further patients are harmed by this doctor, you can also file an official complaint with your state’s Medical Board.
Some complaints are relatively minor. For example, a patient feels he or she was made to wait too long or was overbilled. Other complaints of doctor negligence, however, may be cause for not only a civil action, but criminal charges as well. A negligent doctor could have his or her license revoked or suspended.
Board complaints in Maryland
The Maryland Board of Physicians is the official organization that helps regulate the state’s healthcare professionals. They establish qualifications for obtaining a medical license and are responsible for investigating claims of misconduct.
To file a complaint, fill out this form and mail it to the Board’s Baltimore office. The form asks you for detailed information about yourself and the physician. You will need to give a full account of the misconduct and your complaint. You can attach any supporting records or evidence. There is no cost to proceed.
According to their website, the Board will contact you to begin an investigation. Minor complaints are usually resolved within a few weeks between the physician and the patient.
Major acts of misconduct that violate the Maryland Medical Practice Act require a lengthier investigation and may warrant prosecution. The Board’s website lists these infractions as events that could lead to restriction, suspension, or revocation of a medical license in Maryland:
- Misuse of alcohol or drugs
- Sexual contact with patients
- Conviction of a criminal act
- Prescribing addictive drugs without a legitimate medical indication
- Accepting money or other consideration in return for patient referrals
- Practicing without a license or aiding others to do so
- Providing substandard care
Board complaints in Washington D.C.
The process for filing a medical board complaint in Washington D.C. is similar. You will complete and mail this form to the appropriate D.C. Board, e.g. the Board of Nursing or Board of Medicine.
Their website urges you to not file a complaint over a fee dispute unless you were billed for services that were not completed. They say that investigations take a “varying” amount of time and that you will be notified if the complaint is dismissed. If there is no violation of law or regulations, the Board will informally resolve the matter; but if a serious violation has occurred, the physician may be fined or have their license taken away.
A Maryland or Washington D.C. malpractice attorney is on your side
Healthcare providers have the duty to “first, do no harm.” When that duty is breached, contact a medical malpractice lawyer from Schochor, Staton, Goldberg, and Cardea, P.A. to learn more about possible legal remedies. Our award-winning attorneys are committed to pursuing full and fair compensation on your behalf. Please contact us today at 410-234-1000 to schedule a consultation in either our Baltimore or Washington D.C. office.