Chicago Physical Therapist License Defense Attorney

Lawyers Representing Physical Therapists in IDFPR Discipline Cases in Illinois

In order to work as a physical therapist, a person must complete the necessary education and training, and they must obtain a professional license. A physical therapist is expected to meet certain standards of competence and conduct, and if a person receives complaints related to these standards, this can put his or her physical therapist license in jeopardy. In these cases, it is important to work with an attorney who can determine the best ways to defend against disciplinary action.

At Williams & Nickl, LLC, our lawyers have over 55 years of combined experience defending and prosecuting professional licenses, and we have represented more than 3,000 clients in cases involving the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). As the former Chief of Prosecutions for the IDFPR, Attorney Edward W. Williams provides a unique understanding of the legal issues involved in these cases. Edward and Fred are prepared to advocate on your behalf to defend against discipline to your physical therapist license.

Discipline to Physical Therapist Licenses

The Illinois Physical Therapy Licensing and Disciplinary Board addresses complaints or other issues related to physical therapists, and it may take disciplinary action in cases involving:

• Substandard or Negligent Care
• Healthcare or Insurance Fraud
• Recordkeeping Irregularities
• Financial Irresponsibility
• Breach of Patient Confidentiality
• Mental or Physical Impairment Affecting the Practice of Physical Therapy
• Sexual Misconduct
• Unprofessional or Unethical Conduct By a Physical Therapist
• Substance Abuse and Related Disorders
• Sister-State Disciplinary Actions
• Drunk Driving Arrests or Criminal Convictions

After receiving a formal Complaint or a notice of a Preliminary Hearing or Informal Conference, a physical therapist may attempt to negotiate a Consent Order with an IDFPR prosecutor. However, these Consent Orders may contain conditions that can have a long-term effect on a professional license, and the consequences they include can be very harsh.

Before responding to an IDFPR prosecutor, you should speak to our attorneys about your options for defense against discipline to your license. With our experience working with the IDFPR, we understand the formal and informal rules, policies, and procedures followed in these cases. We can provide you with the representation you need when negotiating a settlement or arguing your case in a hearing, and we will work to minimize the discipline you may face to the fullest extent possible.

We have achieved success for numerous clients in the healthcare field who have faced discipline to their professional licenses. In one case, a doctor who had been represented by another attorney at trial lost his case and had his license revoked. We successfully appealed the case in the Illinois Circuit Court, and the judge remanded the case to the IDFPR, providing instructions to lessen the discipline to our client's license.

Physical Therapist License Application Issues

In some cases, applicants for physical therapist licenses may be asked to answer questions about their background or incidents which occurred in the past. The IDFPR may send a Notice of Deficiency Checklist or ask for information about previous criminal convictions, DUI arrests, or discipline in a "sister state." The prompt issuance of a license will often depend on the response to these types of queries.

Before you respond to the IDFPR, you should contact us to discuss your situation. We will provide you with a free, one-hour consultation, either in person or on the phone, in which we will review your case and help you determine your best path to take to have your license issued as quickly as possible. Depending on your individual circumstances, we may inform you that you will be able to address the IDFPR's questions without our assistance, or we may work with you to draft a response that provides a satisfactory explanation of your background and demonstrates why your license should be issued.

Contact Our Illinois Professional License Discipline Attorneys

When defending against discipline to your physical therapist license, you should be sure to work with an attorney who is knowledgeable in the applicable legal statutes and regulations. At Williams & Nickl, LLC, we understand how the Illinois Physical Therapy Act (225 ILCS 90/0.05, et. seq.) will apply to your case, and we can ensure that the procedures defined in the Rules for the Administration of the Illinois Physical Therapy Act (68 ILAC 1340.20, et. seq.) and the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act (5 ILCS 100/1-1, et. seq.) are followed correctly.

To schedule a complimentary consultation with our attorneys, contact us at 312-335-9470. We will go over your case with you, ensuring that you understand the potential forms of discipline you are facing and the best strategies for protecting your physical therapist license. In many cases, we are successful in presenting mitigating evidence and credible explanations to the IDFPR, resulting in no public discipline to our clients' licenses.