Ethical Issues

Ethical Issues

Pittsburgh Attorney - Joseph A. Paletta, Esq.

Medical License Defense

Medical Professionals Accused of Diversion?

Pennsylvania Crimes - General: "Pittsburgh Defense Attorneys Question Sandusky St...

Pennsylvania Crimes - General: "Pittsburgh Defense Attorneys Question Sandusky St...: Attorney Paletta's view: "Two veteran Pittsburgh defense lawyers questioned the decision by former Penn State University assistant footbal...

Being Investigated and Questioned by Agents of the Attorney General's Office?

Click on the following link to read more about what Attorney Paletta suggested if you are in a situation in which you are being questioned by police....

http://pittsburghdrugattorney.blogspot.com/2012/01/what-do-i-do-if-police-want-to-talk-to.html

What Should Your First Steps be in an Investigation of Diversion?

If you are a Health Care Professional and have received notification that you are under investigation for diversion of drugs, whether it be a criminal investigation or an Investigation with the State Board regarding your professional license, you need to know that you have rights!

You should NOT speak to anyone without consulting with an Attorney who specializes in representing individuals who have been accused of this.

Whether you are being accused of Negligent Charting or Diversion of Drugs, it is important that you contact Attorney Paletta to discusss what implications you could be facing and how this could impact your life.

Contact us now to schedule your consultation.

412.391.7999
http://www.pittsburghcriminallawfirm.com/

INVESTIGATIONS BY PROFESSIONAL HEALTH MONITORING PROGRAMS (PHMP)

Our office has worked with many clients who are involved or have previously been involved with the Professional Health Monitoring Program (PHMP) or units within PHMP such as the Voluntary Recovery Program (VRP).

So what exactly is PHMP and is it right for you?

The Professional Health Monitoring Program is a division of the Bureau of Professional & Occupational Affairs (BPOA) which is divided into two units. - The Voluntary Recovery Program (VRP) & The Disciplinary Monitorung Unit (DMU) .

These Programs are available to help Health Care Professionals who may be in need of treatment due to substance abuse, chemical dependancy or who suffer an impairment for which treatment may be necessary.

Contact our office to schedule a consultation with Attorney Paletta and discuss your options regarding if this is a right choice for you!

Related - PA Department of State

A Few of Attorney Paletta's Actual Cases

CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING EXAMPLES OF ACTUAL CASES ATTORNEY PALETTA HAS WORKED:

• Following medical treatment, a nurse became addicted to pain-killers, and was diverting those drugs from her employer hospital. An internal investigation to the missing medication was commenced, resulting in hospital investigators interviewing the suspected nurse. Because of the moral need to confess, and without consulting a lawyer, the nurse made a statement admitting to facts which formed the basis for a criminal prosecution by the Pennsylvania Attorney General, and an administrative prosecution to suspend her nursing license by the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs. Attorney Paletta resolved the criminal prosecution by negotiating a plea bargain to a reduction of the charges and a penalty of Probation without Verdict. This resulted in an Expungement of her criminal record, and no nursing license suspension.
• During the course of administering drugs to his patients in a hospital, a Doctor was simultaneously diverting a portion of those drugs for his own use. The Hospital discovered the diversion, and as a result, the Doctor was charged by the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office with violations of the Crimes Code and Pharmacy Act. Attorney Paletta negotiated with the Attorney General’s Office and the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs to successfully conclude both the criminal and administrative prosecution in a manner which permitted the Doctor to eventually expunge his record and retain his professional license.

If you are a Health Care Professional who may be facing a scenario similar to one above, contact our office to schedule your initial consultation and review your options with Attorney Paletta.

Representing Health Care Professionals: Pittsburgh Health Care Professionals Accused of Di...

Representing Health Care Professionals: Pittsburgh Health Care Professionals Accused of Di...: "The numbers are on the rise for Nurses and Health Care Professionals being accused of diverting drugs for personal use . In return, the nu..."

Pittsburgh Health Care Professionals Accused of Diversion

The numbers are on the rise for Nurses and Health Care Professionals being accused of diverting drugs for personal use.  In return, the number of these individuals who have had action taken against their license has been on the rise as well.

Nurses, in addition to all Health Care Professionals who are being accused of diverting pain killers/drugs for personal use could face many serious challenges which could include criminal and/or administrative prosecutions and the possibility of losing their license. 

Health Care Professionals who are in a situation similar to this, need to know that they are entitled to seek legal help to protect their rights and their license throughout this process. 

First and foremost, it is imperative that the Health Care Professional being accused contact our office to speak with Attorney Paletta who has extensive experience representing Doctors, Nurses, and other Health Care Professionals who are facing both Criminal & Administrative Prosecutions.

Once a hospital, or place of employment suspects "diversion" of drugs, an investigation will be initiated and