(This article will appear in the California Physical Therapy Association's March 2015 Newsletter, PT Interventions.) Reporting abuse sounds like a simple and straightforward process. But due to the personal nature of the physical therapist-patient relationship, it can be difficult. Because such reporting is mandated by California law, this article examines Read more…
Congratulations to Simas & Associates, Ltd. Managing Attorney, Justin D. Hein, for his recent admission into the California Academy of Attorneys for Health Care Professionals (CAAHCP). Mr. Hein was admitted on February 2, 2015 after applying in mid-November 2014. The California Academy of Attorneys for Health Care Professionals is a by-invite-only organization Read more…
Code of Civil Procedure §1094.5(c) establishes the two basic tests for determining whether the evidence supports the findings in an administrative writ of mandate proceeding: If authorized by law to exercise its independent judgment on the evidence, the court determines whether the findings are supported by the weight of the Read more…
Recently, our law firm has received a large influx of inquiries for service from registered nurses and physical therapists. The cause for this influx appears to be an abrupt change in the way the Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) and the Physical Therapy Board (PTB) are treating first-time, driving under Read more…
All veterinary technician applicants are required to take the new California veterinary technician examination and the Veterinary Technician National Examination (“VTNE”). As an applicant, if you have taken the California veterinary technician examination and failed prior to March 1, 2014, you are required to take both the California and National examination and pass Read more…
A plurality of our law firm’s work comes in the form of defending professional licensees from licensing agency discipline. This entails the administrative hearing process, which typically leads to a hearing of varying length before the Office of Administrative Hearings. But only if a settlement cannot be negotiated and agreed to before the Read more…
On October 7, 2013, Governor Brown signed AB 1000 (Consumer Direct Access to Physical Therapist Services: Professional Corporations) into law which is also known informally as the “direct access law.” Effective January 1, 2014, patients may directly seek physical therapist treatment under provisions of the new law. The debate about Read more…
YES! This blog entry is a message to all types of licensed professionals who are responding to inquiries, investigations or otherwise communicating with their respective licensing board, bureau, or department. Specifically: PLEASE DO NOT TRY TO DEAL WITH AN ADMINISTRATIVE LICENSING AGENCY ALL ON YOUR OWN! Of course, you can. Read more…
Many of us do not know exactly what happened to Conrad Murray’s physician license in California and the process and fight Murray has had to go through with the Medical Board. Is he still Dr. Murray? People v. Conrad Murray On June 25, 2009, Michael Jackson died of acute propofol Read more…
Decorative contact lenses are non-corrective lenses that do not correct vision and are intended to temporarily change the appearance of the eye. Advertised as color, cosmetic, fashion and theatrical contact lenses, they are especially popular around Halloween. However, use of these lenses can carry serious risks, including permanent eye injury that Read more…