Nursing Lawyers in Toronto

As a boutique firm of professional discipline lawyers, GlickLaw specializes in strategic advice and advocacy for nursing professionals in regulatory proceedings.

As experienced lawyers for nurses, we provide legal representation to nurses facing complaints, disciplinary proceedings, and other regulatory challenges before the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO). Our team boasts extensive experience in advocating for nurses who are subject to complaints, allegations of professional misconduct, registration issues, or other issues with the CNO.

Draw on our knowledge and experience to navigate complaints and investigations, safeguard your reputation against accusations of professional impropriety, or navigate any other challenges that may arise in your interactions with the CNO.

We Can Assist And Act For Nursing Professionals On A Wide Range Of Matters, Including:

  • Handling complaints and investigations conducted by the Inquiries, Complaints, and Reports Committee (ICRC) at the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO);
  • Providing legal representation for nurses during proceedings held before the Discipline Committee or Fitness to Practice Committee at the CNO;
  • Appealing decisions of the ICRC to the Health Professions Appeal and Review Board (“HPARB”);
  • Aiding nurses in the registration process and crafting written submissions to the Registration Committee;
  • Advocating on behalf of nurses during appeals of Registration Committee decisions to HPARB;
  • Pursuing appeals of determinations rendered by HPARB, the Discipline Committee, or the Fitness to Practice Committee to the Divisional Court;
  • Assisting nurses with audits and quality assurance issues;
  • Supporting nurses with workplace-related concerns, such as requests for accommodation, allegations of discrimination, human rights matters, employment agreements and policies, severance agreements, claims of wrongful termination, and investigations within the workplace;
  • Advising nurses on compliance with the Regulated Health Professions Act, Nursing Act, and other relevant legislation and regulations; and
  • Providing guidance to nurses regarding matters related to their professional practice, including but not limited to record-keeping, privacy and confidentiality, billing and insurance, and reporting.

Choose GlickLaw as Your Nursing Lawyers in Toronto

GlickLaw provides trusted counsel as nursing lawyers in Toronto and across Ontario.

We defend nursing professionals facing allegations of malpractice and misconduct before the CNO. We forcefully advocate for nurses before the CNO and the courts. Our dedicated team of CNO lawyers are devoted to safeguarding your professional standing, addressing claims promptly and fully.

Submit a confidential inquiry to discuss if we can assist you.

Frequently Asked Questions About Nursing Lawyers

A nurse lawyer, also known as a nurse attorney, is a licensed lawyer who provides legal representation to nurses facing claims or complaints related to their practice at the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO). Legal professionals specializing in nursing malpractice can offer guidance and assistance to protect their clients during CNO investigations or disciplinary hearings. Nurse lawyers play a vital role in using their expertise to bridge the gap between healthcare and the legal system.

To benefit from the services of a nurse lawyer, you can seek a consultation to discuss your specific situation and needs. They can provide legal advice, represent you in legal matters, or guide you through complex healthcare-related issues. A nurse lawyer’s expertise can be valuable in addressing healthcare-related legal concerns and ensuring your rights are protected.

A nursing lawyer can advocate for and advise nurses facing various complaints and investigations before the CNO, including, but not limited to:

Malpractice Complaints

Complaints regarding nursing malpractice can arise from patients who believe they have not received adequate care, encompassing issues such as misdiagnosis, inadequate monitoring, medication errors, procedural mistakes, and documentation inaccuracies. Such complaints may trigger investigations into a nurse’s professional competence. Nursing malpractice lawyers are available to assist their clients in addressing and resolving these claims before the CNO while also striving to safeguard their professional standing and reputation.

Professional Misconduct

Failing to maintain a standard of practice, providing unnecessary nursing services, or patient abuse of any kind are all grounds for a professional misconduct complaint. A nursing lawyer can guide you through an investigation or hearing in which you are alleged to have engaged in professional misconduct.

Privacy Breaches

The confidentiality and privacy of patient information must be strictly maintained. If patients believe that their privacy has been violated, they may initiate a complaint against the nurse involved.

Nurse employment lawyers are valuable advocates for nurses who encounter workplace-related legal challenges. They help ensure that nurses’ rights are protected, that they are treated fairly in their employment, and that they have the necessary legal support when facing employment disputes or issues. These lawyers can provide guidance and representation to nurses at various stages of their careers, from job applications and contract negotiations to addressing workplace conflicts and legal disputes.

The College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) is an organization responsible for overseeing the nursing profession in the best interest of the public. They ensure that individuals can access services from qualified healthcare professionals and are treated with care and respect in their interactions with these professionals. The CNO establishes practice standards and guidelines and, as part of its mission to protect the public, addresses and investigates complaints made by the public against nurses. In cases where complaints or investigations uncover significant issues like nursing malpractice, the CNO may initiate disciplinary actions against the nurse involved.

When a nurse is notified of a complaint from the CNO, they will receive a copy of the complaint and have a 30-day window to submit written responses to the Inquiries, Complaints, and Reports Committee. The nurse’s written reply holds significant importance as it serves as an opportunity to address the allegations raised. A nurse lawyer can provide valuable assistance in ensuring that the nurse’s written submissions are comprehensive and cover all relevant aspects.

Notification: The nurse will receive written notice from the CNO informing them of the investigation and details of the complaint or concern.

Cooperation: Nurses must fully cooperate with the investigation, including responding to requests for information, attending interviews, and providing documentation.

Interviews and Statements: The nurse may be asked to participate in interviews to provide their perspective, and statements from witnesses may be collected.

Access to Legal Representation: Nurses have the right to seek legal representation during the investigation.

Evidence Collection: The CNO gathers evidence related to the complaint, including medical records, incident reports, and witness statements.

Confidentiality: The CNO maintains confidentiality throughout the investigation within legal and regulatory requirements.

Timeline: The investigation’s duration varies based on complexity and information availability.

Interim Measures: The CNO may impose interim measures, such as practice restrictions, to protect the public during the investigation.

Resolution: Upon completion, the CNO determines whether further action is necessary, which may include disciplinary measures like formal hearings or practice condition imposition.

The Inquiries, Complaints, and Reports Committee (ICRC), which oversees reports and complaints concerning the professional behavior of nurses in Ontario, plays a crucial role in the process. This committee carries out investigations and renders decisions on complaints. Some cases before the ICRC may be dismissed without further action, while others could result in a nurse receiving either a written or verbal warning or being directed to complete a remedial education program. In more serious instances, the matter may be escalated to the Discipline Committee for a formal hearing.

The Health Professions Appeal and Review Board (HPARB) serves as an autonomous adjudicative body tasked with the responsibility of assessing determinations made by the ICRC of the CNO and various other health colleges. Additionally, HPARB presides over review hearings in cases where individuals seeking nursing licenses either have their certificate of registration denied by the CNO’s registration committee or are granted a certificate of registration with specific terms, conditions, or restrictions.

When the ICRC renders a decision, nurses have the option to initiate an appeal with the Health Professions Appeal and Review Board (HPARB). The appeal must be filed within a 30-day timeframe. Once the appeal is lodged, the CNO will furnish HPARB and the nurse with the documentation reviewed by the ICRC.

HPARB will evaluate the adequacy of the investigation and assess the reasonableness of the committee’s decision. Your nursing attorney can advocate on your behalf regarding both of these aspects.

Following their assessment, HPARB will issue a final decision, which may involve confirming the committee’s decision, referring the matter back to the ICRC with specific recommendations, or mandating certain actions by the ICRC. Your nursing attorney experienced with HPARB proceedings will guide you through this process.

A College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) discipline hearing is a formal legal proceeding conducted by the CNO to review and address allegations of professional misconduct or incompetence by a nurse licensed in Ontario, Canada. The purpose of a discipline hearing is to determine whether the nurse in question has breached the ethical and professional standards established by the CNO and, if so, to decide on appropriate disciplinary actions.

If you wish to appeal a decision made by the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) related to a disciplinary matter or registration issue, you have the option to appeal to the Ontario Divisional Court. The Ontario Divisional Court is a higher court that reviews decisions made by administrative bodies like the CNO.

It is crucial to follow the specific procedures and timelines outlined in the Rules of Civil Procedure for Ontario and any guidance provided by the Divisional Court. Appeals can be complex legal processes, so seeking professional legal advice is strongly recommended to ensure that your rights and interests are protected throughout the appeal process.

New and interested clients can submit a confidential online inquiry to learn more. Contact us today to get started.