Healthcare Litigation Defense Attorneys
Last updated on September 18, 2026
In Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa, health care litigation demands careful navigation due to strict state laws governing medical practices and disputes. These laws protect patients and providers but create complex challenges for clinics like yours. Therefore, you need a lawyer with proven experience to guide you through these high-stakes cases.
At Schwartz Law Firm, we stand by medical specialty clinics and businesses. With 42 years of trial experience, our Oakdale-based attorney team serves clients across three states. Our “hold the rope” philosophy helps ensure steady legal support for your toughest challenges.
Strategic Healthcare Litigation Defense That Protects Your Practice
Our firm has represented medical specialty clinics in these high-stakes litigations where winning was the only acceptable outcome:
- Professional liability claims: Malpractice allegations requiring immediate response to preserve insurance coverage and minimize financial exposure
- Licensing board investigations: State regulatory actions that can threaten your ability to practice medicine
- Employment disputes: Staff-related litigation, including wrongful termination and discrimination claims
- Contract disputes: Disagreements with insurance companies, vendors or health care partners
- HIPAA violations: Privacy breach allegations that can result in significant penalties
- Billing fraud accusations: Medicare/Medicaid compliance issues that require immediate legal intervention
State licensing boards in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa maintain different procedural requirements that require precise compliance to avoid additional sanctions, something that only experienced health care litigation attorneys can execute effectively.
Our team can develop comprehensive defense strategies from the initial consultation through resolution. We work directly with medical practice owners and administrators to understand your specific situation and craft defense approaches that protect both your practice and professional reputation.
We Have Walked This Path Before
Medical clients rely on us because we are known for:
- Direct senior partner access: Your matter is handled personally by experienced attorneys, not delegated to junior staff.
- Multimillion dollar track record: We have proven success securing favorable outcomes for medical specialty clinics.
- Multi-state experience: We have a deep understanding of health care regulations across Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa.
- Transparent billing: We ensure clear communication throughout your case, so you are never in the dark about our fees.
- Strategic customization: We offer defense approaches tailored to protect both your practice and professional reputation.
- Immediate response capability: Direct cell phone access helps ensure critical decisions receive prompt attention.
We understand that healthcare litigation defense demands a comprehensive legal strategy that only seasoned attorneys can provide effectively. That is why the “hold the rope” philosophy drives our commitment to medical specialty clinics facing litigation challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should a clinic do after receiving a malpractice demand letter?
After receiving a malpractice demand letter, a clinic should treat it as a legal and risk-management matter immediately. The first step is to preserve all relevant records, including the medical chart, billing records, messages, internal notes, incident reports and any scheduling data. No one should alter or “clean up” the chart after the fact.
The clinic should also notify its professional liability carrier right away, because late notice can jeopardize coverage. The clinic should involve experienced legal counsel before submitting a response to ensure that the reply is accurate, consistent and does not create unnecessary exposure.
Can I continue practicing while under investigation by my state medical board?
This will depend on the nature of the allegations and any interim restrictions the board imposes. In many cases, a physician or clinician may continue practicing while an investigation is pending, but the board can require limits, monitoring, supervision or temporary suspension if it believes there is a patient-safety concern.
It is important to respond to the board professionally and follow any reporting or documentation requirements. Even if you can keep working, you should still be careful about scope of practice, documentation and compliance, because the investigation itself can expand if additional concerns arise.
What should a clinic administrator do upon receiving a HIPAA violation notice?
If a clinic administrator receives a HIPAA violation notice, the administrator should act immediately to contain the issue and start an internal assessment. The key priority is to determine what happened, whether protected health information was actually involved, how many individuals may have been affected and whether the breach is ongoing.
The administrator should preserve relevant records, notify the privacy or security officer and involve compliance and legal counsel as needed. Depending on the facts, the clinic may need to perform a breach risk assessment, provide patient notifications, report to the Department of Health and Human Services or notify the media, or both.
Can a settlement in a professional liability claim affect my standing with the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB)?
Yes, a settlement in a professional liability claim can affect your standing with the NPDB. Certain settlements, judgments or payments made on behalf of a practitioner related to a medical malpractice claim may be reportable to the NPDB if they meet reporting criteria. A report to the NPDB does not automatically mean loss of license or privileges, but it can appear in credentialing, privileging and employment reviews.
Because NPDB reporting rules can be technical, it is crucial to review the settlement language carefully and seek legal guidance promptly.