The Florida healthcare litigation lawyers at Di Pietro Partners represent physicians, medical practices, healthcare businesses, and other healthcare professionals in disputes involving healthcare, regulatory, contractual, and business issues. These matters may include:
- Physician employment and restrictive-covenant disputes
- Healthcare contract litigation
- Shareholder, partnership, and fiduciary-duty disputes
- Billing, reimbursement, and third-party payor disputes
- Professional liability and practice-management disputes
- Regulatory investigations and compliance-related litigation
- Disputes involving the Stark Law, Anti-Kickback Statute, and other healthcare regulations
- Commercial torts and other business disputes involving healthcare organizations
If you or your healthcare practice is involved in a dispute, investigation, or potential litigation, contact our experienced healthcare attorneys for a free case review today.
Healthcare Litigation Attorney David Di Pietro on TV
Experienced Business & Healthcare Litigation Lawyers
When individuals or businesses in the healthcare industry face lawsuits or investigations, the stakes are high. These situations can be stressful, time-consuming, and costly, especially given the complex and ever-changing legal landscape of healthcare laws and regulations at both the state and federal levels. From private medical practices to healthcare-related businesses, navigating litigation, regulatory investigations, and compliance-related disputes can present significant challenges.
The attorneys at Di Pietro Partners bring extensive experience in both healthcare and business litigation, which is particularly valuable when a dispute involves overlapping regulatory, contractual, and commercial issues. Our firm prides itself on being large enough to handle complex litigation matters while remaining small enough to provide personalized service. Whether it’s defending a private practice from regulatory enforcement actions, resolving disputes involving non-compete clauses, or handling broader commercial litigation matters, our trial attorneys are prepared to represent healthcare clients through complex disputes and litigation.
Some healthcare disputes can be resolved through negotiation, administrative proceedings, arbitration, or other forms of dispute resolution. When litigation becomes necessary, our trial attorneys are prepared to represent clients in both state and federal courts.
If you’re facing potential legal action, a regulatory investigation, or another healthcare-related dispute, contact Di Pietro Partners for a free and confidential consultation today.
When Should You Contact a Healthcare Litigation Lawyer?
Healthcare disputes do not always begin with a lawsuit. A physician, medical practice, or healthcare business may first receive a demand letter, audit notice, administrative complaint, notice of suspension, request for repayment, or allegation that a contractual obligation has been violated.
Situations that may warrant speaking with a healthcare litigation attorney include:
- A physician or healthcare professional is accused of violating a non-compete, non-solicitation, or employment agreement.
- Hospital privileges have been suspended, restricted, or challenged, or a physician has been offered a medical staff fair hearing.
- An insurance payor is demanding repayment, recouping alleged overpayments, or withholding reimbursement.
- A medical practice is involved in a dispute with a partner, shareholder, physician, vendor, billing company, hospital, or other healthcare organization.
- A healthcare provider receives notice of a licensing investigation, administrative complaint, government investigation, or regulatory enforcement action.
- A dispute arises over the purchase, sale, or operation of a medical practice.
- A healthcare business needs to seek or oppose an injunction involving a restrictive covenant, confidential information, or another ongoing business dispute.
Getting legal counsel involved early can help clarify deadlines, preserve relevant documents, evaluate contractual and regulatory issues, and determine whether the matter may be resolved through negotiation, an administrative process, arbitration, or litigation.
What Happens During a Healthcare Litigation or Dispute Matter?
Healthcare disputes can follow different paths depending on the parties involved, the governing contract, and whether the matter is civil, regulatory, or administrative. Not every healthcare dispute begins or ends in a courtroom.
A healthcare litigation matter may involve:
- Reviewing the initial notice or demand: This may include a lawsuit, demand letter, subpoena, audit notice, administrative complaint, repayment demand, or notice affecting a professional or medical staff privilege.
- Preserving and reviewing evidence: Relevant contracts, correspondence, billing records, policies, medical records, and other documents may need to be identified and preserved.
- Evaluating deadlines and legal exposure: Healthcare disputes can involve contractual deadlines, administrative response periods, appeal rights, or court deadlines that require prompt attention.
- Developing a response strategy: Depending on the matter, this may involve negotiations, responding to an agency or payor, challenging allegations, pursuing contractual remedies, or preparing for litigation.
- Alternative dispute resolution or administrative proceedings: Some matters may proceed through mediation, arbitration, medical staff hearings, licensing proceedings, or other administrative processes.
- State or federal court litigation: When a dispute cannot be resolved through other means, the matter may proceed through pleadings, discovery, hearings, motions, trial, or appeal.
The appropriate strategy depends on the specific dispute, the available evidence, applicable healthcare regulations, and the client’s professional and business objectives.
Healthcare Litigation Legal Services
Our firm handles a range of healthcare and business-related disputes arising within the complex and highly regulated healthcare industry. Below are key areas of litigation and dispute resolution we manage:
Contract Litigation – Our firm is experienced in handling contract disputes within the healthcare sector, including agreements between physicians, hospitals, vendors, and insurers. We represent both plaintiffs and defendants in disputes involving the interpretation, enforcement, or alleged breach of healthcare-related agreements.
Breach of Contract – We represent healthcare providers and businesses in breach-of-contract disputes involving service agreements, employment arrangements, vendor contracts, and other healthcare-related agreements. Depending on the circumstances, we may pursue contractual remedies or defend against allegations of breach.
Non-Compete Agreements – Restrictive covenants frequently arise in physician employment agreements, medical-practice transactions, and other healthcare relationships. We represent clients seeking to enforce or challenge non-compete and non-solicitation provisions based on the agreement and applicable Florida law.
Fraud Claims – Fraud claims in the healthcare industry can involve billing, misrepresentation, or alleged inducements in business transactions. Our attorneys represent clients defending against fraud allegations as well as clients pursuing claims arising from alleged fraudulent conduct.
Breach of Fiduciary Duty – Breach of fiduciary duty often arises in healthcare partnerships or corporate boards. Our firm represents clients asserting fiduciary-duty claims as well as individuals, officers, directors, or business owners defending against allegations that they breached fiduciary obligations.
Interference with Contractual Relations – Also known as tortious interference, these disputes may arise when a third party is accused of improperly interfering with a healthcare contract or business relationship. We represent clients both pursuing and defending these claims.
Loss of Business Opportunities – Healthcare providers may suffer lost profits due to contractual breaches, regulatory interference, or unfair competition. When lost profits or other business damages are recoverable, our attorneys help clients develop or defend claims involving alleged financial losses.
Shareholder and Partnership Disputes – Our attorneys assist in resolving disputes among healthcare shareholders or partners, including conflicts over ownership rights, distributions, management authority, fiduciary duties, contractual obligations, and business separation.
Purchase and Sale Agreements – Disputes over the purchase or sale of healthcare practices often involve complex contractual provisions. We represent clients in resolving disagreements over restrictive covenants, performance obligations, and purchase price adjustments.
Injunctions – Injunctions can play an important role in healthcare litigation, including disputes involving non-compete and non-solicitation agreements, confidential information, intellectual property, contractual obligations, or other conduct that may cause ongoing harm to a healthcare practice or professional. Our attorneys represent clients seeking or opposing temporary and permanent injunctive relief when appropriate.
Licensing and Administrative Disputes – Healthcare professionals may face investigations, disciplinary proceedings, or other administrative actions involving their professional licenses. Our attorneys represent physicians and other healthcare professionals in matters involving the Florida Department of Health, professional licensing boards, administrative complaints, and related proceedings.
Healthcare Payor and Reimbursement Disputes
Healthcare providers may face disputes when an insurer seeks repayment of alleged overpayments, recoups prior payments, withholds reimbursement, or challenges billing practices.
Di Pietro Partners represents healthcare providers in matters involving:
- Alleged overpayments and recoupment demands
- Payor audits and post-payment reviews
- Disputed reimbursement amounts
- Payment withholding or unexplained payment deficiencies
- Billing and coding disputes
- Managed care and provider agreement disputes
- Administrative appeals and arbitration when applicable
For more information, see our page on Payor Disputes and Reimbursement Appeals
Medical Staff Privileges and Fair Hearing Disputes
Physicians may face disputes involving credentialing, suspension or restriction of privileges, Medical Executive Committee proceedings, peer review, and fair hearing rights. These matters can directly affect a physician’s ability to practice at a hospital or healthcare facility.
Di Pietro Partners represents physicians in matters involving:
- Suspension, restriction, or termination of medical staff privileges
- Credentialing and recredentialing disputes
- Medical Executive Committee (MEC) proceedings
- Medical staff fair hearings and appeals
- Peer-review-related disputes
- Hospital-physician conflicts involving privileges or professional conduct
For more information, see our page on Medical Staff Privileges and Fair Hearing Defense
Extensive Healthcare Experience
Our experience in healthcare law and trial litigation allows us to represent clients with an understanding of both the legal and healthcare-industry issues involved. Our attorneys handle complex disputes involving physicians, medical practices, healthcare businesses, and other healthcare organizations. Members of our team also bring experience from within the medical and healthcare fields.
Healthcare Litigation Matters
The attorneys at Di Pietro Partners have represented clients in numerous pre- and post- litigation matters using both their expertise in healthcare-related legal issues and successful litigation techniques. Our attorneys pride themselves on their ability to resolve matters as cost-effectively as possible while managing client expectations. The following list provides some examples of the kinds of healthcare litigation in which the attorneys at our law firm have successfully represented clients:
- Exclusion from Medicare, Medicaid, and Other Federally Funded Programs
- Administrative Law Hearings and State Licensing Actions
- Medical Staff Privileging and Fair Hearing Disputes
- State and Federal Court Litigation
- Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
- Third-Party Payor Disputes, Audit Appeals, Overpayment Demands, and Arbitrations
- Physician-Hospital Disputes
- Physician Non-Compete and Restrictive Covenant Disputes
- Physician-to-Physician Disputes
- Physician Recruitment and Employment Agreement Disputes
- Billing Company Disputes
- State and Federal Government Investigations
- Healthcare Fraud and Abuse Matters
- ERISA and Health Plan Reimbursement Disputes
Florida Healthcare Litigation FAQs
Do healthcare disputes always have to go to court?
No. Depending on the dispute, matters may be addressed through negotiation, mediation, arbitration, administrative proceedings, medical staff hearings, or other dispute-resolution processes. When a resolution cannot be reached, a matter may proceed to state or federal court.
When should I contact a healthcare litigation attorney?
It is generally helpful to seek legal advice as early as possible after receiving a lawsuit, demand letter, subpoena, audit notice, administrative complaint, repayment demand, notice affecting medical staff privileges, or other indication of a legal dispute. Early review can help identify deadlines, preserve relevant evidence, and determine available response options.
Can Di Pietro Partners represent physicians in non-compete disputes?
Yes. The firm represents healthcare professionals and practices in disputes involving non-compete agreements, non-solicitation provisions, and other restrictive covenants. The enforceability of a particular restriction depends on the agreement and applicable Florida law.
What if my hospital privileges have been suspended or restricted?
Physicians facing suspension, restriction, or termination of medical staff privileges may have rights under applicable medical staff bylaws and fair hearing procedures. Because these matters can involve short response deadlines, the notice and governing bylaws should be reviewed promptly.
Can a healthcare attorney challenge an insurance company’s overpayment or recoupment demand?
Depending on the circumstances, a provider may have contractual, administrative, or other grounds to challenge an alleged overpayment or recoupment. An attorney can review the payor agreement, audit findings, billing records, and applicable appeal procedures to evaluate the available options.
Why Healthcare Providers Choose Di Pietro Partners for Litigation
Healthcare litigation often involves more than a traditional business dispute. Contracts, licensing, reimbursement, medical staff issues, regulatory requirements, and the day-to-day operation of a healthcare practice can all overlap in the same matter.
Di Pietro Partners combines healthcare law experience with business and trial litigation experience, allowing our attorneys to evaluate disputes from multiple angles. David Di Pietro’s background includes serving as Chairman of the North Broward Hospital District, while Dr. Tiffany Di Pietro serves as the firm’s Medical Advisor, providing additional insight into the clinical and operational realities healthcare professionals face.
The firm also handles matters involving regulatory investigations, licensing proceedings, payor disputes, physician contracts, restrictive covenants, medical staff privileges, and other healthcare-related disputes, giving our attorneys experience with issues that may arise before, during, or alongside traditional litigation.
Our main office is located in Fort Lauderdale, and we maintain additional Florida office locations by appointment, including Miami, West Palm Beach, Fort Myers, Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville. While many of our healthcare clients are based in Broward, Palm Beach, and Miami-Dade Counties, we represent physicians, medical practices, healthcare businesses, and other providers statewide in litigation, regulatory, and administrative matters.
If you are facing a lawsuit, investigation, administrative proceeding, or other healthcare-related dispute, contact Di Pietro Partners for a free and confidential consultation.
