Fort Lauderdale Attorney Challenges the Constitutionality of the Florida Statutes that Allow Easy Prosecution of Pain Clinics

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It's a service that's desperately needed by many families who lack insurance, and they shouldn't have to cope with their conditions without medication.

Pompano Beach, FL (PRWEB) June 20, 2012

After more than four years of conducting physicals, prescribing pain medication, and offering Botox injections, a local clinic stands shuttered. Pompano Beach Pain Clinic, run by husband and wife Frank and Bernice Turturo, was raided in a federal drug bust June 12, according to the Sun Sentinel, for allegedly trafficking in prescription drugs. Robert Malove a healthcare attorney for Fort Lauderdale thinks closing down the clinic might have been overkill.

The couple stands accused of fourteen federal charges which include conspiracy to commit racketeering according to the June 12th report in the Sun Sentinel. The Broward County case number is 12008734CF10A.

“There's no doubt that some individuals take advantage of pain clinics,” Malove said. “But in my opinion providing low-cost health care options is a perfectly legitimate business, and the aggressive way that law enforcement authorities treat these clinics borders on harassment.”

The purpose of a pain clinic is to make ongoing pain management affordable for low-income individuals who cannot always afford regular doctor visits. Pain clinics typically have a normal, qualified physician who can meet with patients and review whether their prescriptions are still working for them, which can be much cheaper than a consultation at a full clinic or hospital.

“It's a service that's desperately needed by many families who lack insurance, and they shouldn't have to cope with their conditions without medication,” says Malove. “If some customers turn around and illegally sell their medication, those individuals should be prosecuted, but to shut down the entire clinic is overkill.”

Malove has filed an amicus curiae brief in federal court challenging the constitutionality of the Florida statutes that allow for the easy prosecution of pain clinics.

About Robert Malove:

Robert David Malove is a Florida Bar certified specialist in criminal trial law. For 30 years he has focused his practice on healthcare fraud, Medicaid fraud, and pain medicine clinics. In addition to his legal credentials Malove holds a Masters in Forensic Science. He represents a number of medical associations including the Florida Society of Neurology and the Florida Academy of Physician Assistants. He can be contacted at the Law Offices of Robert David Malove at 954-861-0384.

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