Navigating a Summary Suspension in Indiana

For licensed healthcare practitioners in Indiana, few events are more professionally and personally devastating than facing a summary suspension. When the licensing board determines that a provider may pose a “clear and immediate danger to the public health and safety,” it has the statutory authority to immediately suspend that practitioner’s license, with little-to-no advance notice. These proceedings are governed by Indiana Code 25-1-9-10, which grants the board the power to suspend a license prior to a full adjudication or during an appeal process, effectively halting a professional’s career in its tracks. 

Whether you are a physician, nurse, physical therapist, or any other licensed healthcare provider, a summary suspension can mean the loss of income, reputation, and professional standing in a matter of hours. Moreover, the highly expedited nature of these proceedings leaves little time to prepare a defense—making it critical to understand your rights and legal options immediately. 

At Keffer Hirschauer LLP, we recognize how high the stakes are in these matters. Our team of experienced Indiana professional license defense lawyers has helped healthcare professionals across the state respond effectively to emergency board actions, restore their reputations, and return to practice. This guide will walk you through what a summary suspension is, why it may occur, how to respond, and—most importantly—how we can help protect your license and livelihood.  

If you’re facing a summary suspension in Indiana, and need immediate assistance, do not hesitate to contact our firm today at 317-648-9560 or complete our online contact form to schedule a confidential consultation. 

What is Summary Suspension in Indiana? 

A summary suspension in Indiana is an emergency, interim action taken by a professional licensing board when a practitioner is deemed to present a clear and immediate danger to public health and safety. Unlike standard disciplinary actions that proceed only after a full investigation and hearing, a summary suspension is designed to take effect immediately—even before a final adjudication or while an appeal is pending. 

Under Indiana Code 25-1-9-10(a), the board has the authority to summarily suspend a license for up to ninety (90) days if it finds that continuing the practitioner’s practice would pose a significant risk. Importantly, the law allows for extensions of the suspension, provided that a hearing is held for each renewal, and that no single renewal exceeds another ninety days. 

This mechanism serves to protect the public in urgent situations, but it also places the practitioner at a significant disadvantage. The suspension can be issued after only a “reasonable attempt” to notify the practitioner, meaning that the opportunity to prepare a robust defense in advance is often limited. Although practitioners are allowed to submit a written or oral statement before the suspension order is entered, the process moves at a pace that can leave even seasoned professionals feeling overwhelmed and unprepared. 

In this environment, the assistance of an experienced professional license defense lawyer in Indiana is crucial. Navigating a summary suspension requires not only an understanding of administrative law and healthcare regulations but also a strategic, rapid response to protect your rights and career. 

When and Why Summary Suspension Might Occur 

A summary suspension in Indiana is not imposed lightly. Licensing boards reserve this drastic measure for situations where they believe immediate action is necessary to protect the public from serious harm. Typically, summary suspensions arise from allegations or circumstances that suggest a practitioner’s continued practice could result in significant risks to patients or clients. 

Some common scenarios that may trigger a summary suspension include: 

• Substance Abuse or Impairment: Practicing while impaired by drugs or alcohol can create an immediate danger to patients. 
• Criminal Charges: Being charged with certain crimes, particularly those involving violence, fraud, or moral turpitude, can lead to emergency suspension proceedings. 
• Gross Negligence or Incompetence: Serious mistakes that place patient safety in jeopardy, such as medication errors or surgical mishaps, may prompt immediate action. 
• Unprofessional or Unethical Conduct: Engaging in inappropriate relationships with patients, falsifying records, or violating key ethical rules can also warrant summary suspension. 
• Pending Disciplinary Investigations: In some cases, information uncovered during a pending investigation may suggest an urgent need to suspend a practitioner’s license before formal adjudication is complete. 

Before a suspension can be issued, Indiana Code 25-1-9-10(b) requires the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division to make a reasonable attempt to notify the practitioner about the hearing where the suspension will be considered and to share information about the allegations. Notice can be attempted via telephone or fax using the contact information the practitioner has on file with the board. 

However, under Indiana Code § 25-1-9-10(c), even if the practitioner does not actually receive this notice, the suspension can still proceed, and courts may not set aside the suspension solely due to lack of notice. In other words, the urgency to protect public health and safety takes precedence over procedural formalities. 

Given the speed and severity of these actions, it is critical for healthcare professionals to respond quickly and effectively at the first indication of an investigation or hearing. 

How to Respond to a Summary Suspension Letter 

Receiving notice—or even a hint—of a potential summary suspension in Indiana demands immediate and strategic action. Because the stakes are so high and the timeline so compressed, a disciplined response is essential to protecting your professional license in Indiana. Here are the critical steps practitioners should take: 

1 – Retain Experienced Legal Counsel Immediately: First and foremost, it is imperative to contact an experienced professional license defense lawyer in Indiana as soon as you learn of an investigation or suspension hearing. Administrative proceedings before licensing boards involve specific procedural rules and substantive law that differ significantly from traditional court cases. At Keffer Hirschauer LLP, we understand how these specialized hearings operate and can intervene quickly to begin building a robust defense. 

2 – Preserve All Communications: Save all communications you receive regarding the summary suspension, including emails, letters, voicemails, and faxes. Documentation regarding when and how you were notified—and the content of that notification—could be critical in building your defense strategy. 

3. Prepare a Written and/or Oral Response: Under Indiana law, you have the right to submit a written or oral statement on your own behalf before the board issues the summary suspension order. Your attorney can help craft a persuasive response that addresses the allegations head-on, highlights your professionalism, and presents mitigating factors. 

4. Develop a Defense Strategy for the Hearing: Although a summary suspension hearing moves quickly, it is still an opportunity to present your side of the story. Your Indiana professional license lawyer can help gather supporting evidence, identify relevant witnesses, and challenge any procedural or substantive defects in the board’s case against you. 

5. Be Proactive About Reputation Management: In addition to defending your license, it is important to consider the broader impact on your reputation and career. An attorney experienced in license defense and professional discipline matters can work with you to minimize public exposure following any threat to your professional license in Indiana. 

The Role of a Professional License Defense Lawyer 

Facing a summary suspension in Indiana is not only a professional crisis but also a deeply personal one. The psychological impact of being labeled a potential threat to public safety can be intense, especially when the allegations are based on incomplete or disputed facts. On top of that, the expedited nature of summary suspensions can be overwhelming. Many practitioners feel blindsided—suddenly stripped of the ability to care for patients, earn a living, and maintain their professional identity. Thankfully, however, Keffer Hirschauer LLP is here to help everyday Hoosiers navigate the process of a summary suspension in Indiana.  

Our team of Indiana professional license defense lawyers has handled countless situations involving summary suspensions. They understand that these administrative proceedings are unlike any other form of legal or professional discipline, and are well equipped to help protect you, your professional license and your reputation. Here’s how we advocate for healthcare professionals at every stage: 

• Immediate Case Evaluation: We act quickly to assess the nature of the allegations and identify legal and procedural opportunities to challenge the suspension. 
• Representation at Emergency Hearings: Our attorneys are skilled in preparing compelling written and oral presentations to licensing boards, ensuring that your voice is heard and your rights are protected—even in expedited proceedings. 
• Evidence Development and Strategy: We coordinate with subject matter experts, gather exculpatory documentation, and develop a tailored defense strategy focused on preserving your license and limiting reputational harm. 
• Post-Suspension Support: If a suspension is upheld, we continue to advocate for our clients in follow-up hearings, appeals, or settlements, and provide guidance on rebuilding professional standing. 
• Deep Knowledge of the Indiana Code: Our firm draws on extensive experience with IC 25-1-9 and other regulatory frameworks that impact licensed healthcare professionals, giving our clients a strategic edge. 

When your career is on the line, you need a defense team that is responsive, knowledgeable, and relentlessly focused on results. At Keffer Hirschauer LLP, we pride ourselves on being exactly that. 

Facing a Summary Suspension in Indiana? 

A summary suspension in Indiana can threaten not only your professional license but also your livelihood, reputation, and future. The process moves quickly, often with limited notice and little time to prepare. Without immediate and skilled intervention, healthcare practitioners may find themselves at a severe disadvantage, facing career-altering consequences. 

Understanding your rights and acting swiftly is critical. Working with some of the best professional license defense lawyers in Indiana can mean the difference between safeguarding your career and suffering irreparable harm. At Keffer Hirschauer LLP, we stand ready to defend your license, protect your reputation, and guide you through the complexities of the administrative process. 

If you are facing—or fear you may soon face—a summary suspension, do not wait. Contact Keffer Hirschauer LLP today at 317-648-9560 or complete our online contact form to schedule a confidential consultation and take the first step toward protecting your future. Our experienced attorneys are prepared to assess your case, develop a strategic defense, and advocate fiercely on your behalf.