Understanding State Medical Boards

What is a State Medical Board (SMB)?

A State Medical Board (SMB) is a regulatory agency established to oversee the practice of medicine within its jurisdiction. These boards are crucial in ensuring that physicians meet specific standards of education, training, and conduct.

Key Functions of an SMB:

• Licensing: SMBs issue licenses to physicians who meet the required qualifications and standards.
• Investigations: They investigate complaints filed against physicians and determine if there are grounds for disciplinary action.
• Discipline: SMBs have the authority to impose disciplinary measures, ranging from reprimands to license revocation, on physicians who violate medical practice laws or ethical codes.
• Evaluation and Rehabilitation: In some cases, SMBs may refer physicians for evaluation or rehabilitation programs to address issues that could potentially impact their practice.

The Role of SMBs in Protecting Public Health

SMBs play a vital role in protecting public health by ensuring that only qualified and competent physicians are allowed to practice medicine. By investigating complaints and taking appropriate disciplinary action, SMBs help to maintain high standards of medical care and protect patients from harm. 

Get Started Today: Schedule Your Consultation!

If you are considering filing a complaint against a physician, it may be beneficial to consult with a civil litigation attorney in Ann Arbor. A legal professional can advise you on your rights and help you navigate the complaint process.

For more information or to speak with us about your legal issue, please contact our attorneys in Ann Arbor at 734-665-4441. To learn more about Pear Sperling Eggan & Daniels, P.C., or any of our attorneys, please visit learn more about us here.

A Guide to Reporting Physician Complaints

When to File a Complaint

If you believe that a physician engaged in misconduct or violated medical practice laws, you may consider filing a complaint with your State Medical Board (SMB). This can include situations such as:

• Medical malpractice: When a physician's negligence or error leads to harm.
• Substance abuse: If a physician is suspected of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol while practicing.
• Sexual misconduct: When a physician engages in inappropriate or harmful behavior of a sexual nature.
• Fraud: If a physician is involved in billing fraud or other financial misconduct.

How to File a Complaint

The process for filing a complaint with an SMB may vary by state, but generally involves the following steps:

1. Contact the SMB: Gather information about the SMB in your state, including contact details and filing procedures.
2. Provide details: Be prepared to provide a detailed description of the incident, including dates, times, and names of witnesses.
3. Submit documentation: Gather any supporting documentation, such as medical records or witness statements.
4. Follow up: After submitting your complaint, follow up with the SMB to inquire about the status of the investigation.

Get Started Today: Schedule Your Consultation!

If you’re considering filing a complaint against a physician, it may be beneficial to consult with a civil litigation attorney in Ann Arbor. A legal professional can advise you on your rights and help you navigate the complaint process.

For more information or to speak with us about your legal issue, please contact our attorneys in Ann Arbor at 734-665-4441. To learn more about Pear Sperling Eggan & Daniels, P.C., or any of our attorneys, please visit learn more about us here.

New Law Means New Probationary Terms. Do You Qualify?

Effective March 24, 2021 there’s a new presumption in Michigan law against jail or probationary sentences for persons convicted of certain misdemeanor offenses.     

Senate Bill 1048 (2020) is part of criminal justice reform efforts across the country providing uniform standards for the probation system and ultimately reducing the number of citizens subject to unnecessary jail and probationary terms.  

For years, District Court dockets have been clogged with probation review and violation hearings involving individuals who have been convicted of minor crimes.  

Find out what this could mean for you or a loved one. Learn more here!

Get Started Today: Schedule Your Consultation!

If you have been charged with a crime and need advice, reach out to our expert criminal defense attorney in Ann Arbor, Steven Tramontin. Call us at 734-665-4441 or email Steven at stramontin@psedlaw.com.

New Michigan Law Seeks to Minimize Unnecessary Terms of Probation

Senate Bill 1048 is designed to reduce the entanglement of typically law-abiding citizens convicted of minor offenses with the court system.  It’s now presumed that a person who is convicted of a non-serious misdemeanor should not be sentenced to jail or probation unless there’s evidence presented by the prosecution to the contrary.  Serious misdemeanor offenses are enumerated in MCL 780.811 and include domestic violence, child abuse, and certain offenses involving a firearm.

Learn more here!

Get Started Today: Schedule Your Consultation!

If you have been charged with a crime and need advice, reach out to our expert criminal defense attorney in Ann Arbor, Steven Tramontin. Call us at 734-665-4441 or email Steven at stramontin@psedlaw.com.

How Long Do Cases Take to Settle?

In Michigan, the State Court Administrative Office has guidelines for how long cases take to resolve. Before Covid, on average, the SCAO expected 90-95% of cases brought in district court to be resolved within 1 year of filing. In district court, it’s possible, that cases will be resolved in 6-9 months.  For cases brought in circuit court, however, the cases are generally more complex, and only 70% are expected to be resolved within 1 year. 

Learn more here!

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If you’re suing or being sued and have questions about the litigation process, contact or litigation attorneys today to help get your questions answered.

The Waiting is Almost the Hardest Part

Whenever someone is looking for representation on a lawsuit, whether it’s because they are considering suing someone, or they have been sued, inevitably they get to the question “So how long will this all take?” People who have never been involved in litigation seem to think a lawsuit will be done in a few weeks, maybe a few months at most. The reality can be very different, and understanding that, especially in the Covid world we live in, can help litigants manage the stress of expectations and handle the potentially lengthy periods of inactivity that come in every lawsuit.

Learn more here!

Get Started Today: Schedule Your Consultation!

If you’re suing or being sued and have questions about the litigation process, contact or litigation attorneys today to help get your questions answered.

Electronic Signatures Effective Immediately for a Limited Time

As a result of the Stay Home, Be Safe executive order issued by Governor Whitmer in response to the Coronavirus virus people are required to stay home and quarantine. Did you know we’re still available via phone, Zoom or Skype to start a conversation about getting your affairs in order? In the past, we couldn’t sign the documents because the law requires the physical presence of two witnesses and a notary. Until now!  

On April 8^th, Governor Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-41, allowing electronic signatures and remote witnessing and notarization effective. This is immediately and will remain in place until May 6, 2020. The following are the highlights of this executive order:

Learn more here!

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If you would like to learn more, contact Marty Bodnar, an estate planning attorney at PSED today! Attorneys at Pear Sperling Eggan & Daniels, P.C., can help assist you with virtually everything law related. Consult your attorney for details.

Property Owners Beware- One Year Left to Preserve “Older” Property Interests Following an Amendment to 40 Year Marketable Title Act

Last year, the Legislature amended the 40 Year Marketable Title Act (the Act), and created a two year window during which holders of “older” property interests could preserve those interests by recording a notice of those interests with the Register of Deeds.  That window ends March 29, 2021, leaving about one year left to record such a notice.  

Learn more here!

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If you would like to learn more, contact Scott Munzel a real estate lawyer at PSED today! Schedule an initial consultation. 734-665-4441

Michigan Revises Discovery Rules

Depositions, currently unlimited in duration, will be limited to one day of seven hours. Can you imagine having to sit though an unproductive 8-hour deposition, only to have the opposing party come back and ask for another 8-hour day? This is a welcome change!

Learn more here about the changes the Michigan Supreme Court adopted to the Rules of Civil Procedure.

Get Started Today: Schedule Your Consultation!

If you would like to learn more about civil law in Ann Arbor, contact Jeremy Kennedy at PSED today! Schedule an initial consultation. 734-665-4441

Why is the Pre-Suit Preparation Important?

The Michigan Supreme Court recently adopted changes to the Rules of Civil Procedure that will completely overhaul the discovery process in Michigan to bring it closer to the procedures in federal court. If you’re not familiar with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure the changes could be overwhelming, but for many litigants the changes will be welcome. 

The new rules will emphasize initial disclosures and document production. Instead of waiting until asked, parties will be required to disclose the factual basis of their claim or defense, the legal theories on which they rely or their case, possible witnesses or people with discoverable information, their computation of damages, and the location or types of documents in their possession that are relevant to the case. All of this information must be produced by a party without being asked. Practitioners in federal court will be familiar with this process, as it is similar to the Rule 26 disclosures required in federal cases. 

Learn more here about the changes the Michigan Supreme Court adopted to the Rules of Civil Procedure.

Get Started Today: Schedule Your Consultation!

If you would like to learn more about civil law in Ann Arbor, contact Jeremy Kennedy at PSED today! Schedule an initial consultation. 734-665-4441