Nursing and healthcare professionals dedicate their lives to caring for others, but when accusations of misconduct or negligence arise, their own careers and reputations are on the line. A single accusation can result in criminal charges, high fines, years in jail, and permanent career damage.
Whether a complaint comes from a patient, employer, or state regulator, healthcare providers need competent legal representation to defend their rights. At ZMO Law, we represent nurses and healthcare workers in New York facing criminal investigations related to their work. If your nursing career is at risk, seeking legal counsel immediately is the best step to protect yourself.
Why Hire Us for Your Legal Matter?
New York healthcare professionals work under intense scrutiny. Hospitals, nursing homes, and medical offices are high-pressure environments where mistakes can happen. Unfortunately, even honest errors or false allegations can trigger police investigations that threaten your ability to work.
We help people facing criminal allegations relating to their work in the health care industry. If you are facing investigation for drug diversion, patient abuse, healthcare fraud or other criminal charges, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney. At ZMO Law, we defend healthcare professionals against criminal charges, so that your rights are fully protected as you work to put this difficult time behind you.
Common Legal Challenges for New York Nurses and Healthcare Workers
Healthcare professionals work in high-stress environments where even minor misunderstandings or mistakes can escalate into serious legal issues. Nurses, CNAs, and other medical professionals must follow strict protocols while balancing patient care, administrative policies, and state regulations. A single complaint (whether valid or not) can trigger criminal charges.
Below is an overview of the most common criminal legal challenges healthcare professionals encounter in New York.
Drug Diversion or Substance Abuse Allegations
The DEA and New York healthcare licensing authorities closely monitor controlled substances in hospitals, nursing homes, and medical offices. Nurses and healthcare workers can face serious accusations related to drug diversion, including:
- Stealing controlled substances
- Falsifying wasting records for controlled substances
- Altering medication administration records
- Using other nurses’ or healthcare professionals’ login information to access controlled substances through Pyxis machines
- Stealing or misusing controlled substances
- Working while impaired due to drugs or alcohol,
Consequences of drug diversion accusations include criminal charges (which can result in prison time and a permanent criminal record), immediate job termination, loss of DEA registration, and even ineligibility for future employment in the medical field.
Criminal Charges Related to Healthcare Work
Healthcare professionals may find themselves accused of crimes related to their work, even if the charges are exaggerated or based on false reports. Some of the most serious criminal allegations include:
- Accusations of Medicare or Medicaid fraud
- Practicing medicine without a valid license
- Charges involving possession, distribution, or improper handling of controlled substances
- Accusations of sexual misconduct towards a patient
Potential consequences include misdemeanor or felony charges, jail or prison time, and a criminal record that prevents future employment.
What Should You Do if You Are Being Investigated?
If you are a nurse, CNA, LPN, or other healthcare professional under investigation in New York, you must act quickly to protect your career and license. Below is an outline of your recommended next steps.
Do Not Panic – But Take the Investigation Seriously
Being notified that you are under criminal investigation can be overwhelming, but it’s critical to stay calm and take the time you need to respond rationally. Many people believe that if they have done nothing wrong, the truth will clear them automatically. Unfortunately, that is not always the case.
If you are under criminal investigation, law enforcement and prosecutors are not on your side: their goal is to gather enough evidence to justify charges. Even small missteps in how you respond can be used against you. The smartest approach is almost always to stay cautious, avoid speaking to anyone without legal counsel, and seek an experienced criminal lawyer as quickly as possible.
Do Not Speak to the Police Without Legal Representation
We tell this to all our clients and it is universally true: if the police (or DEA, FBI, or state investigators or anyone else from law enforcement) contact you, do not answer questions, provide written statements, or discuss the case without first consulting an attorney.
Never forget that police investigators may seem friendly and informal, but their job is to build a case against you. Anything you say can hurt you later in criminal proceedings. Even if you believe you are explaining your side, you may unknowingly incriminate yourself. Instead of discussing the case, politely state to investigators:: “I need to speak with my attorney before answering any questions.”
Avoid Discussing the Case with Colleagues or Supervisors
Many nurses and healthcare workers make the mistake of discussing their case with coworkers, friends, or supervisors. This can backfire in several ways:
- Your words can be misinterpreted and reported back to the police.
- Coworkers may be pressured to testify against you.
- Your employer may start building a case to terminate you, not support you.
The only person you should discuss your case with is your attorney, who is required to keep your confidences and act in your best interests.
How Can a New York Nursing and Healthcare Professional Lawyer Help?
Criminal allegations put the careers and reputations of nurses, CNAs, and LPNs on the line.
A New York lawyer with experience representing nursing and healthcare professionals provides critical legal representation to protect your license, career, and financial future. When you are facing formal charges, having an experienced attorney on your side can mean the difference between keeping your job or losing everything you’ve worked for.
Here’s how an experienced lawyer can help:
- Defend you against drug diversion or substance abuse allegations
- Represent you in criminal cases related to healthcare work
- Defend you against accusations of sexual misconduct towards a patient
Protect Your Nursing License and Career with ZMO Law
If you are facing criminal charges, your career, reputation, livelihood and freedom may beat stake. At ZMO Law, we provide zealous, strategic legal representation for medical professionals facing serious accusations. To schedule an initial consultation, please call (212) 685-0999 or fill out our online form today.