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Licensed medical professionals are accountable to the governing body of their license. This body manages the quality, education, and discipline of those licensed under that body. This oversight is particularly important today when patients frequently feel dismissed or not heard by their care team.
Sometimes, we may be unsure of what a professional or ethical violation is, particularly compared to poor customer service. If a physician or medical provider’s mistake has caused you unnecessary injury, speaking with a Portland medical malpractice attorney with Paulsen Coletti Trial Attorneys may be the right move.
The Oregon Medical Board (OMB) can handle complaints and determine discipline regarding physicians for whom they license. So, the first step in determining if your situation may be grounds for discipline is to ensure the physician holds a license through the OMB. This information can be found under licensing on the OMB website.
The professional licenses that the OMB oversees include:
The OMB reports that they receive around 800 complaints per year. Regarding investigations, they complete about 400 of them per year. Any complaints not investigated may be due to being outside of their jurisdiction, or the complaint may be for something unrelated to ethical practice and licensure.
The OMB requires a written complaint form to be submitted. After you complete the form, it should be mailed to the Oregon Medical Board at 1500 SW 1st Ave, Suite 620, Portland, Oregon 97201. You may also provide a detailed written letter explaining your grievance.
Some of the information requested is:
At Paulson Coletti, “liberty and justice for all” is more than just a phrase – it is our mandate. Our team of trial lawyers is driven to pursue justice for the injured, ensuring that the responsible parties are held accountable. With a high success rate both in and out of the courtroom, you can trust our Oregon personal injury lawyers to be the legal advocates you need so your voice can be heard.
The Oregon Medical Board website tells us that there are 27 reasons that a professional medical license in Oregon may be withheld, suspended, or revoked. According to 677.190 of the Oregon code, those reasons are as follows:
The majority of causes for discipline are ethical problems like misleading patients or fraud in documentation or billing. However, many lawsuits surround complaints about negligence or gross negligence. Cornell Law School defines gross negligence as a lack of care that demonstrates reckless disregard for the safety of others. This is negligence that is so extreme that it shows an almost intentional disinterest in the safety of others. Gross negligence is a more severe version of negligence, almost bordering on intentional.
“Most cases settle, but each of our cases is prepared as if it’s going to trial. The insurance companies know it and so do the defense lawyers defending them. That’s why we get such great results for our clients.”
Frequently, cases of ongoing negligence or an act of gross negligence will result in a complaint to the OBM and a malpractice lawsuit. Examples of malpractice can include things like operating on the wrong side of the body or leaving instruments inside someone during surgery, which can lead to further complications.
Misdiagnoses are another common complaint. For example, suppose you went to the emergency room with abdominal pain, and the physician determined it was gas when any other reasonable physician would have taken steps to see it was a bowel obstruction. This condition is life-threatening and, if left untreated, may lead to permanent disability or become a Portland wrongful death lawsuit.
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Other examples of negligence or malpractice may be delayed diagnoses. This can result in catastrophic injury in some cases. While some diagnoses will take time, it becomes negligent when any other competent physician would have appropriately diagnosed the condition.
Not all malpractice settlements will result in disciplinary action from the board so when in doubt, submit your complaint. If it does not meet the criteria of an ethical or code violation, the board will screen it out, and no harm will result. However, if you have a valid reason for filing a complaint, you deserve to see it through, and in many cases, you may be entitled to compensation with help from an experienced medical malpractice firm.
At Paulson Coletti, a local firm based in Oregon, justice is our mission. As experienced trial attorneys, we fight for injury victims across Oregon and Washington, holding negligent parties accountable. With a proven track record in and out of the courtroom, we are dedicated to securing fair compensation for our clients. We take a client-centered approach, focusing on cases we believe in and delivering results that matter. No fees unless we win-because justice should never come with financial risk.
Client Reviews
John and Lisa were extremely helpful with my family as we navigated damages sustained in a tragic car accident. They were very knowledgeable throughout the entire process. Their communication and empathy to our situation was greatly appreciated.
I can’t imagine working our way through the tragedy without them by our side. I would highly recommend Paulson and Coletti!
Working with John was an excellent experience from start to finish. He fought long and hard to secure a fair and just settlement in our case, and his dedication never wavered. John and his staff were consistently considerate, helpful, and communicative throughout the entire process, always taking the time to answer our questions and keep us informed. Given the complicated and sensitive nature of our case, I’m truly grateful we had John in our corner. Thanks to his hard work and expertise, we achieved a better outcome than we could have hoped for.
I had an excellent experience working with Jane and her team on my accident case. From start to finish, their team was professional, responsive, and genuinely cared about getting the best possible outcome for me.
I highly recommend Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys to anyone who needs legal representation. They made a stressful situation much easier to navigate, and I’m extremely grateful for everything they did for me.
I recently engaged John Coletti to represent me in a challenging legal matter, and I cannot recommend him highly enough. From our initial consultation, it was evident that John possessed an exceptional depth of knowledge, strategic acumen, and unwavering dedication to his clients. He took the time to thoroughly understand the nuances of our case, explaining complex legal concepts in clear, accessible terms while always keeping me informed and involved throughout the process.
John not only delivered outstanding results but also provided compassionate support during what could have been an overwhelming stressful time.
If you’re seeking an attorney who combines professionalism, integrity, and proven success, look no further than John Coletti.
My family is profoundly grateful for his representation.
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This page has been written, edited, and fact-checked by our team of legal writers in accordance with our editorial guidelines. It has been approved by partners Jane Paulson and John Coletti—respected trial attorneys with decades of experience representing personal injury victims.
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