Complicated Plumber License Defense Demands an Experienced Attorney
As a licensed plumber in Texas, you work hard every day to do your job right. Often, people call you on a moment’s notice to help them stop a leak in the sink or unexplained flooding in the basement. Homeowners and businesses also rely on you to install plumbing systems correctly. Otherwise, the risk of injury, disease, or even death can be a real possibility. The quality and dependability of your work are essential to a safe and clean society.
Sadly, far too often unnecessary and unfounded complaints are made against plumbers across Texas. If your license is on the line and you do not know where to turn for help, reach out to a professional license defense lawyer at Bertolino LLP for a no-obligation consultation.
Common Complaints Made Against Plumbers
Complaints against plumbers are far more common than you might think. Although you may have made it through your entire career thus far without having substantive complaints made against you, plumbers across Texas find themselves facing unwarranted and unnecessary allegations regularly.
Some of the more common types of complaints plumbers are subjected to include:
- A client becoming ill due to your work
- A client’s home suffering structural damage due to your work
- Misrepresentation of services
- Making false statements
- Bribery in obtaining your plumber’s license
- Failure to comply with local or state orders, codes, regulations, and other requirements
- Plumber incompetence
- Plumber misconduct
- Being convicted of a crime, particularly one that may relate to plumbing
- Failure to respond to an investigation or complaint
- Failure to report business changes to appropriate state agencies
- Employing a non-certified plumber
- Performing unlicensed plumbing services
The issue does not even have to be one of physical safety. A review of the code put forth in the Regulation of Environmental and Industrial Trades by the state of Texas shows that there are detailed instructions concerning the terms you can use to market yourself, how you are to proceed with installations, inspections, and repairs, as well as other logistical issues.
How does Someone Lose a Plumber’s License?
If you misrepresent information regarding your qualifications, leave out important pricing details in your plumbing company advertisements, or make false statements about your achievements as a plumber, you could be at risk of losing your license. One move against these state provisions, even done unknowingly, can lead to legal trouble.
The Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners will be ready to open up an investigation into any complaints made against your plumbing license and take necessary disciplinary action accordingly. You do not want to face such serious charges alone. You want an experienced professional license defense lawyer on your side, looking out for your best interests.
What Is the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners?
The Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE) is responsible for regulating the licensure and enforcement of all those who hold a plumbing license in the state of Texas. The TSBPE works to ensure plumbers and others working within the plumbing trade are adhering to plumbing codes, achieving continuing education responsibilities, improving their skills, and continually becoming knowledgeable about technological advances within the plumbing industry.
When complaints are made against plumbers, under the plumbing license law, the TSBPE will conduct an investigation into allegations made against plumbers and penalize them accordingly.
How the SBPE Handles Complaint Investigations
When your professionalism is called into question by a dissatisfied client or city employee, you need to have legal protection from the very first moment to preserve your reputation. The Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners is obligated to review every complaint filed with its office. The Board will assign a Field Representative to question both you and the person who is making the accusation.
The Board will then review the evidence to determine whether the complaint made against the plumber is valid. If the Board finds the complaint against you substantive, you may be sent a notice of infraction. This might include a detailed list of the allegations made against you and potential violations. From there, the TSBPE will determine whether to impose sanctions or other penalties.
What If the TSBP Rules Against Me?
If the TSBP does not come down in your favor, you may be able to contest their decision by having your case heard at a formal hearing. You will have the opportunity to call witnesses to support your case, present evidence that proves the complaint against you is invalid, and give your own testimony as to the complaints made against you. From there, the Board will determine whether to move forward with stations or dismiss your case.
If the Board decides to move forward with penalties, you have the right to file an appeal. However, the amount of time you will have to file an appeal may be limited. For this reason, it is essential to get a plumber license defense attorney representing your interests from the moment you learn that a complete has been made against you.
Consequences You Could Face for a TSBPE Violation
You need to be ready if the TSBPE does not come down in your favor. If a violation of Plumbing License Law or Board Rules is found, you can face harsh penalties that could have a significant impact on your career and your future.
The severity of the sanctions imposed against you will vary depending on the types of complaints made against you and the circumstances of the violations in question. Some of the more common types of the disciplinary actions you might expect if plumber license complaints against you are deemed valid include:
- Citations
- Administrative penalties
- Fines
- Suspension of your plumber’s license
- Audit of your employment and plumber services
- The requirement to participate and complete continuing education courses
- Formal reprimand which can appear publicly
- Revocation of your plumber’s license
When the penalties are this high, you cannot let your plumber’s license be at risk. Take steps to secure your livelihood when you contact a plumber license defense attorney for help.
How a Plumber License Defense Attorney Could Help You
At Bertolino LLP, we work tirelessly to build strong cases for clients and address all their needs. Your case matters here.
You may not be legally obligated to obtain an attorney to defend your plumber license. However, having a legal advocate by your side could prove invaluable as you hoped to protect your license from revocation or suspension. Although you may feel as though the TSBPE is on your side, the truth of the matter is that they may often come down in favor of consumers in an effort to protect the public from plumbers who engage in misconduct or violate local rules and regulations.
Your attorney can help you communicate effectively with the Board to provide all necessary documentation and evidence needed to support your case. This way, you do not have to risk saying something that could be later used against you in their investigation. Your plumber license defense attorney understands how the disciplinary process works and what steps need to be taken to challenge the complaints made against your plumber license.
What Happens If Your License Is Revoked?
In the event that your plumber license is suspended or revoked, you may need to take steps to seek reinstatement. However, the reinstatement process can be complex, depending on the details of your case. Generally, if your license has been revoked, you can expect to:
- Pay any outstanding fees
- Pay a reinstatement fee
- Provide the TSBPE with proof that you are eligible for reinstatement
- Provide work history for the duration of the time your plumber license was suspended
- Fill out an application for plumber license reinstatement
You must ensure that all requirements are fulfilled before the board will be willing to reinstate your license. Make sure you have an experienced license defense attorney on your side who can ensure these requirements are met so you can get back to your career.
Contact a Plumber License Defense Lawyer for Help Today
When your plumber license is on the line, it is important that you take action to protect your career and future. Expect more from your plumber license defense attorney.
Reach out to our experienced plumber license defense lawyers at Bertolino LLP for a no-obligation case assessment. Call our office or complete our secured contact form to schedule your appointment as soon as today.
