Healthcare Professionals
We proudly represent numerous licensed medical, dental, and mental health providers in all aspects of risk management, litigation defense, witness preparation, and state licensing investigations.
Healthcare Professionals
We proudly represent numerous licensed medical, dental, and mental health providers in all aspects of risk management, litigation defense, witness preparation, and state licensing investigations.
Healthcare Professionals
We proudly represent numerous licensed medical, dental, and mental health providers in all aspects of risk management, litigation defense, witness preparation, and state licensing investigations.
A Balanced Approach
Sims, Lawrence & Broghammer balances compassion and understanding of professional reputations to develop strategic solutions for a wide range of legal challenges facing licensed healthcare professionals, serving both insurance defense and private-pay clients.
Healthcare is complicated enough as it is. We recognize, understand, and manage legal issues for our clients. Whether faced with claims, lawsuits, or Licensing Board inquiries, including alleged deviations of practice, physical injuries, surgical or dental complications, or even PTSD and emotional distress injuries, we advocate for you personally, professionally, and respectfully so you can get back to practicing what you were trained to do. We can assist in pre-litigation investigations and the early resolution of claims, all the way through trial.
Our Clients Include
Mental Health Professionals
Psychiatrists, Psychologists, LCSWs, LMFTs
Dental Professionals
DDS, General Dentistry, and Orthodontists
Ambulatory Surgery Centers
Outpatient, Cosmetic, and Orthopedic Centers
Nurses & Medical Ancillary Service Providers
Physical Therapists, X-Ray Technicians
A Balanced Approach
Sims, Lawrence & Broghammer balances compassion and understanding of professional reputations to develop strategic solutions for a wide range of legal challenges facing licensed healthcare professionals, serving both insurance defense and private-pay clients.
Healthcare is complicated enough as it is. We recognize, understand, and manage legal issues for our clients. Whether faced with claims, lawsuits, or Licensing Board inquiries, including alleged deviations of practice, physical injuries, surgical or dental complications, or even PTSD and emotional distress injuries, we advocate for you personally, professionally, and respectfully so you can get back to practicing what you were trained to do. We can assist in pre-litigation investigations and the early resolution of claims, all the way through trial.
Our Clients Include
Mental Health Professionals
Psychiatrists, Psychologists, LCSWs, LMFTs
Dental Professionals
DDS, General Dentistry, and Orthodontists
Ambulatory Surgery Centers
Outpatient, Cosmetic, and Orthopedic Centers
Nurses & Medical Ancillary Service Providers
Physical Therapists, X-Ray Technicians
A Balanced Approach
Sims, Lawrence & Broghammer balances compassion and understanding of professional reputations to develop strategic solutions for a wide range of legal challenges facing licensed healthcare professionals, serving both insurance defense and private-pay clients.
Healthcare is complicated enough as it is. We recognize, understand, and manage legal issues for our clients. Whether faced with claims, lawsuits, or Licensing Board inquiries, including alleged deviations of practice, physical injuries, surgical or dental complications, or even PTSD and emotional distress injuries, we advocate for you personally, professionally, and respectfully so you can get back to practicing what you were trained to do. We can assist in pre-litigation investigations and the early resolution of claims, all the way through trial.
Our Clients Include
Mental Health Professionals
Psychiatrists, Psychologists, LCSWs, LMFTs
Dental Professionals
DDS, General Dentistry, and Orthodontists
Ambulatory Surgery Centers
Outpatient, Cosmetic, and Orthopedic Centers
Nurses & Medical Ancillary Service Providers
Physical Therapists, X-Ray Technicians
Sensitive to All Professional Reputations
Whether ambulatory surgery centers, nurses, orthodontists, psychologists, psychiatrists, licensed clinical social workers, or licensed marriage and family therapists, we are sensitive to all professional reputations, standards of care, and the importance of getting it right the first time.
Dedicated Defense for Healthcare Professionals
SLB represents medical, dental, and mental health providers in all aspects of litigation defense, risk management, and licensing investigations with professionalism and care.
Protecting Reputations & Standards of Care
From nurses to orthodontists to therapists, we understand the importance of reputation and uphold the highest standards of care in every defense strategy.
Compassionate, Strategic, Legal Representation
Balancing empathy with experience, SLB develops thoughtful, strategic solutions for healthcare providers facing claims, lawsuits, or Board inquiries.
Broad Experience Across Healthcare Fields
We advocate for a wide range of professionals—including mental health practitioners, dentists, and nurses—through every stage of investigation and litigation.
Guiding Clients Through Complaints & Complex Cases
Whether responding to Board complaints, subpoenas, or malpractice claims, SLB helps clients preserve evidence, navigate confidentiality laws, and achieve favorable outcomes.
Healthcare Professionals Frequently Asked Questions
A disgruntled client complained to my Licensing Board. What do I do?
Initial Licensing Board investigations are generally confidential and not matters of public knowledge until a determination is made to pursue disciplinary action. It is essential to reframe false narratives and expose the truth at the initial complaint stage to resolve investigations in favor of the licensed professional. In other words, receipt of a Board complaint letter does not mean you were negligent or did something wrong. If you receive a complaint letter from your Board, remember that while an investigation is required by due process and regulations, it does not mean endorsement of the allegations. Upon receipt, you should immediately preserve all evidence and notify your carrier so legal representation can be assigned to assist you. SLB is experienced in handling complaints and investigations by the Board of Behavioral Sciences, the Board of Psychology, and the Dental Board of California, among others.
A complaint was filed against me. How can they say stuff that is untrue?
California typically permits the filing of unverified complaints, which often result in "kitchen sink" pleadings containing every allegation, regardless of its truth. The filing of a complaint does NOT make the allegations true! Remember: the person suing has the ultimate burden of proof; just because you were sued does not mean you are at fault or that the statements in the complaint are factual. If you are sued, immediately preserve all evidence and notify your insurance carrier so legal representation can be assigned to help you. Sims, Lawrence & Broghammer is experienced in handling complaints in both civil court and administrative hearings statewide. We aggressively manage every aspect of the case with your crucial input to obtain a favorable resolution.
I received a subpoena from a lawyer requesting my client's therapy information. Can I ignore it?
No. Mental health providers are legally and ethically required to object to a subpoena on grounds restricting disclosure of certain confidential patient information and documents, including on psychotherapist-patient privilege (California Evidence Code Section 1012, et seq.), State and Federal constitutional right to privacy, the Federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and 45 C.F.R. Part 160 and 164, absent a specific written patient authorization, consent, or release. However, subpoenas in California can be issued by the court clerk or licensed attorneys, so do not ignore a subpoena simply because a lawyer signed it. Reach out to your client to determine his/her wishes if you do not have an ROI (release of information). We can help you deal with the rest.
My patient had a complication. Does that automatically mean it is actionable?
No. A professional liability (medical malpractice) case in California requires qualified expert opinion testimony on (1) standard of care (i.e., failure to perform within the prevailing standard of the community) and (2) causation (i.e., the negligence was a substantial factor in bringing about the injury or harm) to establish liability. This two-pronged approach is mandatory, and the plaintiff bears the burden of proof on both. Adverse outcomes can and do happen in the absence of negligence, of course. Sims, Lawrence & Broghammer is experienced in working with professionals and experts who understand the challenges involved in the practice of medicine and dentistry, and can assess and minimize the risks associated with these practices.
Need more answers?
Drop us a line or email and we will follow up immediately.
Healthcare Professionals Frequently Asked Questions
A disgruntled client complained to my Licensing Board. What do I do?
Initial Licensing Board investigations are generally confidential and not matters of public knowledge until a determination is made to pursue disciplinary action. It is essential to reframe false narratives and expose the truth at the initial complaint stage to resolve investigations in favor of the licensed professional. In other words, receipt of a Board complaint letter does not mean you were negligent or did something wrong. If you receive a complaint letter from your Board, remember that while an investigation is required by due process and regulations, it does not mean endorsement of the allegations. Upon receipt, you should immediately preserve all evidence and notify your carrier so legal representation can be assigned to assist you. SLB is experienced in handling complaints and investigations by the Board of Behavioral Sciences, the Board of Psychology, and the Dental Board of California, among others.
A complaint was filed against me. How can they say stuff that is untrue?
California typically permits the filing of unverified complaints, which often result in "kitchen sink" pleadings containing every allegation, regardless of its truth. The filing of a complaint does NOT make the allegations true! Remember: the person suing has the ultimate burden of proof; just because you were sued does not mean you are at fault or that the statements in the complaint are factual. If you are sued, immediately preserve all evidence and notify your insurance carrier so legal representation can be assigned to help you. Sims, Lawrence & Broghammer is experienced in handling complaints in both civil court and administrative hearings statewide. We aggressively manage every aspect of the case with your crucial input to obtain a favorable resolution.
I received a subpoena from a lawyer requesting my client's therapy information. Can I ignore it?
No. Mental health providers are legally and ethically required to object to a subpoena on grounds restricting disclosure of certain confidential patient information and documents, including on psychotherapist-patient privilege (California Evidence Code Section 1012, et seq.), State and Federal constitutional right to privacy, the Federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and 45 C.F.R. Part 160 and 164, absent a specific written patient authorization, consent, or release. However, subpoenas in California can be issued by the court clerk or licensed attorneys, so do not ignore a subpoena simply because a lawyer signed it. Reach out to your client to determine his/her wishes if you do not have an ROI (release of information). We can help you deal with the rest.
My patient had a complication. Does that automatically mean it is actionable?
No. A professional liability (medical malpractice) case in California requires qualified expert opinion testimony on (1) standard of care (i.e., failure to perform within the prevailing standard of the community) and (2) causation (i.e., the negligence was a substantial factor in bringing about the injury or harm) to establish liability. This two-pronged approach is mandatory, and the plaintiff bears the burden of proof on both. Adverse outcomes can and do happen in the absence of negligence, of course. Sims, Lawrence & Broghammer is experienced in working with professionals and experts who understand the challenges involved in the practice of medicine and dentistry, and can assess and minimize the risks associated with these practices.
Need more answers?
Drop us a line or email and we will follow up immediately.
Healthcare Professionals Frequently Asked Questions
A disgruntled client complained to my Licensing Board. What do I do?
Initial Licensing Board investigations are generally confidential and not matters of public knowledge until a determination is made to pursue disciplinary action. It is essential to reframe false narratives and expose the truth at the initial complaint stage to resolve investigations in favor of the licensed professional. In other words, receipt of a Board complaint letter does not mean you were negligent or did something wrong. If you receive a complaint letter from your Board, remember that while an investigation is required by due process and regulations, it does not mean endorsement of the allegations. Upon receipt, you should immediately preserve all evidence and notify your carrier so legal representation can be assigned to assist you. SLB is experienced in handling complaints and investigations by the Board of Behavioral Sciences, the Board of Psychology, and the Dental Board of California, among others.
A complaint was filed against me. How can they say stuff that is untrue?
California typically permits the filing of unverified complaints, which often result in "kitchen sink" pleadings containing every allegation, regardless of its truth. The filing of a complaint does NOT make the allegations true! Remember: the person suing has the ultimate burden of proof; just because you were sued does not mean you are at fault or that the statements in the complaint are factual. If you are sued, immediately preserve all evidence and notify your insurance carrier so legal representation can be assigned to help you. Sims, Lawrence & Broghammer is experienced in handling complaints in both civil court and administrative hearings statewide. We aggressively manage every aspect of the case with your crucial input to obtain a favorable resolution.
I received a subpoena from a lawyer requesting my client's therapy information. Can I ignore it?
No. Mental health providers are legally and ethically required to object to a subpoena on grounds restricting disclosure of certain confidential patient information and documents, including on psychotherapist-patient privilege (California Evidence Code Section 1012, et seq.), State and Federal constitutional right to privacy, the Federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and 45 C.F.R. Part 160 and 164, absent a specific written patient authorization, consent, or release. However, subpoenas in California can be issued by the court clerk or licensed attorneys, so do not ignore a subpoena simply because a lawyer signed it. Reach out to your client to determine his/her wishes if you do not have an ROI (release of information). We can help you deal with the rest.
My patient had a complication. Does that automatically mean it is actionable?
No. A professional liability (medical malpractice) case in California requires qualified expert opinion testimony on (1) standard of care (i.e., failure to perform within the prevailing standard of the community) and (2) causation (i.e., the negligence was a substantial factor in bringing about the injury or harm) to establish liability. This two-pronged approach is mandatory, and the plaintiff bears the burden of proof on both. Adverse outcomes can and do happen in the absence of negligence, of course. Sims, Lawrence & Broghammer is experienced in working with professionals and experts who understand the challenges involved in the practice of medicine and dentistry, and can assess and minimize the risks associated with these practices.
Need more answers?
Drop us a line or email and we will follow up immediately.