Med crew turned me in for what they called careless and reckless operation. Got a letter from the FAA to say I am under investigation but no limit on my certificate at this time. What kind of battle do I have and what kind of time frame does such and investigation take. Should I get an attorney (big bucks?) or speak with the feds myself?

If you're flying for a living, I'd highly recommend joining AOPA ($79 a year) and then signing up for their Pilot Protection Service Plus plan.  If you do them together you'll save a few bucks ($178 a year).  Their legal service knows exactly what the FAA can and can't get away with and will be a great help in your situation.  Between the different levels of legal representation you get like 100 hours of attorney time with the membership.  I've never used the Legal Service, but have used the Medical Service that comes with the plan.  I was diagnosed as a Type 2 diabetic several years back and the FAA Aeromedical folks in OKC were taking their sweet a.. time with my special issuance.  I got AOPA involved and wala, I got my medical certificate in a little over a week!  Oh, and I haven't had an issue getting one ever since!

Like I said, AOPA, check it out!  

The FAA rep was the company's ASI. He knew it was bullsht and talked me into taking a counselling and promised to expunge the record after a year. I lost the job but won the grievance (from my point of view: I agreed to never work for them again and they paid me $26K). Thanks union.

My advice: Feel out the FAA rep, unless you really did something bad he'll probably just want to clear the books. Be humble and reasonable with him and don't look back. Its a risk you take in HEMS.

not kidding about how effective AOPA can be in resolving matters, or get you headed in a very worthwhile direction.  Be honest with them because you never know what others are aware.

Don't underestimate just how much the FAA can taint your career and mess up your livelihood.  I had a nurse allege something about me and when she realized she was going to need an attorney for multiple issues of pushback she recanted.  Always be respectful and objective, factual etc. but provide no information to your adversaries other than your intent to get them embroiled in legal proceedings as far as you can push it.  One never know where these things can go but your best defense is a very strong and respectful offense.  Medical people rarely imagine how far things can blowback on to them - bit naive about the real world we might say.

  they think they are doing something productive when all that's happening is they are buying in to their fears and trying to control them through ( you name it )  which always results in phreakin' drama beyond the pale.

I have always told guys to make characters who deploy their finger pointing card they need to be factual and careful because you keep a diary/log of work events including names, dates, places and times, and push back will come in a legal fashion.  Kept some real nut jobs from underestimating our pilots.

From another FAR, it is almost unheard of to be violated for careless and reckless. Was there an underlying violation asserted?

Yeah, it is tough to be violated for careless AND reckless...You know, since they are two different things. Read the reg and educate yourself on the FARs before you go storming into that lawer's office. Jeezus! Come on guys!

between the two yeah I read the reg please help

Have you ever even thumbed through the CFR FARs?