Has Anyone Ever USED Their Malpractice Insurance?

Although this is not specific to malpractice, I can tell you how you get a defense attorney when you are sued for something that triggers a defense from an insurance policy. You call your insurance company and start the claim process for the incident. You get assigned to a claim rep and that claim rep sends your suit to a defense attorney they work with regularly that has expertise in whatever the suit is about. The attorney is representing you and you have attorney-client privilege, etc., but the attorney bills the insurance company directly and is paid by them. You may not even know how much unless you ask. My husband does this kind of trial law. His clients are the policy holders, but he also deals closely with and gets paid by the claim reps. The reason to have insurance of any kind, including malpractice, is to have peace of mind.

I have had NSO insurance since 1969 when I entered nursing school. Lucky enough (and careful to CYA) to never need it. Feel great knowing that it is there should I need it. I don't broadcast I have it.

YES!!!

Get and keep malpractice insurance.

A doctor had a family bring negligence charges against me.

An attorney from my home state called me and told me not to worry, that it was just a form of intimidation on the doctor's part, two days later an attorney from Chicago and another from Texas (all worked for the same malpractice insurance company) called me. Listening to my story they too repeated what the first attorney said. Charges were dropped in 6 weeks.

I have carried insurance since nursing school. I do have NSO. And Yes I have had to use it. I was involved in a suit against the hospital and doctors and nurses were also named. The suit lasted almost 2 years. the depositons, the hearings, and the stress that goes along with it.

NSO represented me in this suit. I did not have to have any money period. I called them immediately upon getting the notification of the lawsuit. A representative contacted me immediately. They are very professional and do their job well. I personally would recommend having your own insurance. I work in a hospital and no matter what, their interest is in what is best for them, not you!

The hospital clearly did back me, but believe me you do not want to be without your OWN insurance! After two years of going through this suit, the hospital settled and Even the docs settled out of court. I never paid anything out of pocket. My own charting saved me and I was not at fault. This is also a reminder to clearly document all findings in your nurses notes, teaching notes, and any other documents that pertain to the patient you are taking care of, and never, never falsify any document!! This is your livelyhood. Being named in a suit is very unnerving and I hope that I never have to go through it again.

Would I be without my own insurance? Not ever!

Yes it really does works! Each state is different but just like car insurance you will be covered depending what coverage you have. As nurses we all should carry Malpractive Insurance. I suggest that if you are interested in finding out how it really works call the 1-800 # and ask questions.

What about for those of us that rent? How much should we get?

As a student, I am required by my school to purchase $1M per claim $6M aggregate insurance from NSO (I am a renter, by the way). I think it only cost me about $29 a year! Although I'm not a nurse and am covered to an extent by hospital and school insurance, I do think it's extremely important to have my own coverage. I've heard too many stories about nurses "taking the fall" when there's a bad outcome, even if they weren't really responsible.

What a great thread! I also work for a magnet hospital and got the "you don't need your own we gottcha covered" speech. I didn't buy that for one second. What I don't understand is why they don't want us to have our own? I just can't imagine anyone would rather sue the nurse than the hospital and I'd assume that even if we did something wrong that the hospital would be liable anyway.

FWIW I have my own and haven't ever been asked if I did by any of my employers past or present.

No I haven't. And judging by the only two times I really needed A My health insurance and B my homeowners insurance I sincerely hope I never ever need to.