South Carolina LLR Nursing License defense Attorney

In South Carolina, Anyone can file a Nursing License complaint against you

The South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing & Regulation (LLR) Office of Investigations and Enforcement receives anonymous nursing license complaints from many sources, including:

• A patient

• Another nurse

• A nurse manager or other supervisor

• A family member

• Any other anonymous source

LLR will not share with you who filed the nursing license complaint. All complaints are handled anonymously.

Some Medical and Nursing professionals are actually required to report violations to the SC nursing board.

Many individuals have a duty to report actual or suspected nursing violations. This includes physicians, nurses, nurse supervisors, and nurse employers – pretty much anyone who works in the medical field has a legal duty to report violations to the S.C. Board of Nursing (S.C. Code Ann. §§ 40-33-110(A)(22), 40-33-111(A)).

All Nursing License complaints must be received in writing (mail or e-mail)

When a nursing license complaint is received, LLR’s Office of Investigation and Enforcement (OIE) assigns it to a complaint analyst who reviews the complaint to determine if an investigation is warranted. This is the time when an analyst decides whether or not to actually open a case against you. If a case is opened against you, it is then taken over by an LLR investigator.

You find out about a Nursing License complaint by receiving a letter from the SC Dept of Labor, Licensing and Regulation

You will receive a Notice of Complaint in the mail.  This notice will inform you that a nursing license complaint has been filed. The letter includes details of the allegation(s) and requests a written response from you.
This is the best time to contact an attorney.

Nurses: You have a right to have your side of the story heard

Keep in mind that any communication provided to the agency may be used in a legal proceeding. A big mistake that many nurses make at this step is to not respond to the complaint at all. If you do not provide any response, the investigation will continue and the investigator’s findings will be made without any input from you.

You may have an attorney present to defend you – at all times

An attorney can not only advise you on your case, they can also submit a written response to the nursing license complaint letter on your behalf. And of course, an attorney can represent you at any investigative meetings or hearings.

Losing your SC Nursing License is not the only thing that can happen

The licensing board may do the following:

• Cancel your nursing license

• Fine you

• Suspend your nursing license

• Revoke your nursing license

• Issue a public reprimand (or a private reprimand)

• Restrict your nursing license, including placing you on probation

• Take another reasonable action such as requiring you to take additional education and training

The whole process can take a long time.

Nurses: you may feel a mix of anxiety, depression, or fear along the way. The process may feel like an emotional roller coaster ride at times. Having proper representation can go a long way towards providing you some peace of mind.