What to Do If You Receive a Letter of Investigation from the Florida Department of Health

Megan Blancho
Jun 6
2 min read

Receiving a letter of investigation from the Florida Department of Health (DOH) can be one of the most stressful and career-threatening moments in a nurse’s professional career. The consequences are potentially severe: ranging from probation, suspension, to the permanent revocation of your license. If you’ve received such a letter, do not delay, contact a license defense attorney immediately to discuss your case.

As a Florida attorney focused solely on health license defense, I have represented nurses in drug diversion, patient abuse, patient abandonment, and numerous other alleged violations of the Practice Act.

The Real Threat: How a DOH Investigation Can Derail a Nursing Career

1. Your License May Be Suspended or Revoked

Emergency Orders: If the DOH is concerned that the nurse poses an immediate risk to patient safety, an emergency order suspending your license before the Panel reviews your case.

Formal Charges & Hearings: An Administrative Complaint is a permanent and public record on your license. There are different hearing options. Having experienced legal representation throughout this process is crucial to protect your license.
Disciplinary Action: Depending on the outcome, you may face a reprimand, fine, suspension, or revocation of your license.

2. Impact on Your Job, Reputation, and Finances

Job Loss: Many employers terminate or refuse to hire a nurse who has a pending Administrative Complaint against their license.
Financial Consequences: If disciplined you are required to pay for the Department’s investigation. You pay for your prosecution.

Take These Steps Immediately If You Receive an Investigation Letter

Do Not Ignore It – The notification letter states that you have 20 days to submit a response. High priority cases are submitted to the emergency action unit to review within 10 to 14 days. The letter from the Department does not state if your case is a high priority case. If you received a Voluntary Relinquishment with your notification letter, chances are your case is a high priority case.
Response – Do NOT respond on your own. Anything you say can be used against you and is submitted to an attorney assigned to prosecute your license.
Hire an Experienced Attorney in Health License Defense Navigating a DOH investigation on your own is risky. I provide experienced, compassionate, and strategic defense to help protect your nursing license.

What We Can Do Together

1. Mitigation packet – I prepare a mitigation packet for the prosecutor and Panel Members to review.

2. Seeking Case Closure – The Panel can vote to close your case with a Letter of Guidance (non-disciplinary, non-public), or close your case with a finding of no probable cause. The Panel meeting is a confidential telephone meeting that we cannot attend. The mitigation packet is vital to seeking closure of your case at the initial Panel review.

Do Not Delay