Lawyers for Occupational Therapists (OTs)

As trusted occupational therapist lawyers, we have experience representing OTs in Ontario in regulatory, litigation, clinical and risk issues, including those with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario (the “COTO”), the Human Rights Tribunal and the Information and Privacy Commissioner. We help occupational therapists navigate the legal landscape governing the practice of occupational therapy in Ontario, including under the Occupational Therapy Act, 1991.

If you have a complaint, investigation or disciplinary matter before the COTO, it is important to get legal advice from an OT complaint lawyer or OT discipline lawyer to evaluate your risk and help you manage your response. This is especially important because many forms of remediation ordered by the COTO remain on a occupational therapist’s public register indefinitely. We are occupational therapist defence lawyers who assist on all types of COTO matters, including clinical issues, billing issues, communication issues, recordkeeping issues and boundary violations/sexual assault allegations.

We work with insurance companies covering Ontario occupational therapists and also represent OTs directly who do not have coverage for regulatory matters. We typically offer our clients the choice of an hourly rate or flat fee for these regulatory matters, especially for OT complaints. We represent occupational therapists across the province of Ontario, including in Toronto and the GTA, Ottawa, Hamilton, Kitchener, London, Brampton, Barrie, Kingston and Thunder Bay.

Legal Services for Occupational Therapists (OTs)

  • Responding on behalf of occupational therapists to COTO patient complaints before the Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee (“ICRC”) of the COTO;

  • Facilitating proactive courses or Specific Continuing Education or Remediation Programs (“SCERP”) for occupational therapists ordered by the COTO;

  • Responding for occupational therapists to COTO section 75 investigations before the ICRC;

  • Responding to disciplinary matters and allegations of professional misconduct for occupational therapists before the Discipline Committee of the COTO;

  • Responding to registration issues for occupational therapists before the Registration Committee of the COTO or guiding OTs on their application for licensure in other provinces/countries;

  • Defending allegations for occupational therapy students on testing irregularity and cheating on the National Occupational Therapy Certification Exam (“NOTCE”);

  • Responding to appeals and judicial reviews for occupational therapists before the Health Professions Appeal and Review Board (“HPARB”), the Divisional Court of Ontario or the Court of Appeal for Ontario;

  • Responding to complaints made against occupational therapists and OT clinics to the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario regarding discrimination and human rights violations;

  • Responding to complaints against occupational therapists and OT clinics before the Information and Privacy Commissioner;

  • Responding on behalf of occupational therapists to COTO Fitness to Practice matters;

  • Assisting occupational therapists in managing a challenging patient, including harassment and assault, and terminating the occupational therapist-patient relationship;

  • Navigating clinical issues for occupational therapists, including privacy breaches, OT malpractice allegations, recordkeeping issues and patient demands;

  • Navigating billing issues for occupational therapists, including insurance company inquiries and audits;

  • Navigating compliance for occupational therapists with COTO Standards and Practice Resources;

  • Assisting occupational therapists in responding to the annual COTO report regarding past criminal and regulatory issues; and

  • Representing occupational therapists and OT clinics in workplace investigations.

Need help with any of the above? We are occupational therapy attorneys, so don’t hesitate to contact John McIntyre for a free consultation at john@mcintyre-szabo.com or through the website here.