Lype, Dest & Smith have a combined 30+ years of experience defending physicians and other medical professionals.
A Texas Medical Board complaint puts your license, income, and reputation at risk from the moment it is filed. The Board gives physicians a limited response window, and that response sets the tone for everything that follows.
Lype Dest Smith Lawyers defends physicians and other Texas medical board license holders at every stage, from the initial complaint response through formal hearings at the State Office of Administrative Hearings. If you are looking for a Texas medical board lawyer, our team has the experience and insider knowledge to defend your license effectively.
The Texas Medical Board receives and reviews approximately 9,000 complaints per year. Every claim triggers an initial 45-day review to determine whether a formal investigation should open. When the Board sends a complaint letter, the physician has 28 days to respond in writing, and whatever goes into that response stays in the case record permanently.
What a doctor considers a simple explanation may be viewed as an admission by board investigators or may not be keyed into what the board is really concerned with. Read more about what happens if a doctor ignores a medical board letter and why the initial response window matters.
Anyone can file a complaint: patients, family members, doctors who treated the patient afterward, insurance companies, and hospital peer review committees, which evaluate physician conduct within a facility. The bar for filing a complaint is low. What separates a dismissed complaint from a disciplinary order is almost always the quality of the defense and the appropriate presentation of the facts.
Our attorneys have defended physicians facing standard of care allegations, prescribing complaints, boundary violations, impairment concerns, criminal allegations, and discipline originating in other states. Retaining a Texas medical board lawyer with direct knowledge of how the Board operates is not a precaution. It is a strategic advantage.
If the initial response does not produce a dismissal, the Board opens a formal investigation. Each stage from that point forward creates a record that the next stage builds on.
In cases involving impairment, criminal conduct, or serious standard of care concerns, the Board can act without warning. It has the authority to issue a temporary suspension or restriction order before a formal investigation concludes, removing a physician from practice before they have had any opportunity to respond.
For a deeper look at how board proceedings differ from a malpractice lawsuit, see Medical Board Investigations vs. Malpractice Claims: What’s the Main Difference?
The Board investigates a wide range of conduct that can put a physician’s license at risk. Some complaints stem from patient care decisions; others involve criminal proceedings, substance use, or actions taken by another licensing body.
The Board investigates a wide range of conduct. Under Texas Occupations Code § 164.051, sanctions can include fines, mandatory continuing education, probation, practice restrictions, suspension, or full revocation. Allegations our team regularly defends include:
Impairment and drug-related complaints carry particular risk, as the Board can move to suspend a license before the investigation concludes. For physicians facing drug testing demands, read Can a Doctor Refuse a Drug Test Ordered by the Texas Medical Board?
“Your legal challenges deserve precise attention and dedicated advocacy. We’re committed to navigating the complexities of law, ensuring your rights are safeguarded and your objectives achieved. Trust our experienced team to stand by you every step of the way.”
Dan Lype
Founding Attorney
Physicians who retain counsel early give themselves the best chance of stopping a complaint before it reaches the ISC, or winning at the ISC if it does. Lype Dest Smith Lawyers has defended Texas physicians through every stage of TMB proceedings. Call (512) 881-3556 to speak with our Texas Medical Board Lawyer today.
Darrin’s practices primarily in the areas of administrative and health care law, with a focus on the representation of professionals in front of their licensing boards and credentialing bodies. Darrin formerly worked for the Texas Medical Board and currently defends licensees.
Years of experience: 15 years
Bar numbers: 24065146
Location: Austin, TX
Not afraid to go to court when necessary, Dan has successfully litigated cases all the way to the Supreme Court of Texas. Dan also prides himself on being readily available to clients throughout their cases. He strongly believes effective representation should be a collaborative effort between a client and their attorney.
Years of experience: 15 years
Justia Profile: Dan Lype
Bar number: 24065658
Location: Austin, TX
If you or a loved one needs legal help, please fill out the form below for your consultation or call us at 512-881-3556
“ Wonderful Administrative Lawyer. Mr. Lype represented me at a hearing before the Texas Board of Law Examiners. After substantial preparation, I was well prepared for the hearing. Dan has relationships with the staff members and was able to help me understand exactly what to expect. With Dan’s assistance I was ab...”
“ Great Attorneys in Texas. This attorney is very diligent ,calm ,professional who will listen to you and very aggressive in his pursuit for justice for his clients.His main goal is exoneration for which he effortfully seeks.Plea deal would be his lost resort. Recently successfully represented me before the Texas Me...”
“ Worth every penny. Mr Lype is a bulldog when it comes to defending his client. He is diligent, agreesive and great listener. He provides timely updates on your case. Mr Lype is very verse in the healthcare laws of Texas and is worth having on your team. I would use him every time. ”
“ Highly recommend. I had pretty serious allegations resulting in an investigation. Dan helped guide me perfectly And gave me reassurance that I really needed.. He knew exactly how much information to provide at each step along the way. During my hearing, he pleaded my case very effectively. Due to his expertise, my...”
If you or a loved one needs legal help, please fill out the form below for your consultation or call us at 512-881-3556
