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| No. 30 | 
Jul 01, 2004, 05:21 PM
Originally Posted by ayndim I wouldn't be able to sign over all my checks/house/auto as I have a family to support to. That is why I have insurance. If I thought I was at fault and the insurance denied the claim, which I am not sure they can do if I said "Yes I am responsible" then I would try to do what I could. If I knew I did something life altering I would let my insurance company know and have them contact the person/family first. Maybe it could be done without a lawyer then. If I could help monetarily I would. But no I would not take from my own family to give to someone else. I am not that unselfish. My own children will always come first. However, I would not be buying them designer duds in that case. If I could help in other ways (i.e., babysitting a child w/cp so parents could have a break or helping the family find resources, such as social security benefits for the disabled.) Originally Posted by ayndim
My biggest pet peeve is lack of responsibility. I hate when people try to get out of stuff. Like if someone rear ends another person when driving. They still try to make excuses. Just step up to the plate and admit what you did. And deal with it. NO EXCUSES! And the people who are out to make a quick buck. The point of compensation is not to make you in a better position than before. It is to make sure you aren't in a worse position. Some pain and suffering compensation is normal but some of the verdicts are ridiculous. So if you are a drug addict who lives on the street with no job you cannot expect your family to be compensated as much as the family that lost a bread winner who earned $50,000 year.
My personal experience is that I lost my mom in May 2000, three days before Mother's Day. It was thought to have been a heart attack but it was a blood clot. My mom had suffered from these before and was on Coumadin. She was taken off for a test but then they scheduled it so far out and she wasn't told to start taking it again (she was in her 70's). Well if the dr would have followed up or if the nurse would have told her to take it until X days before the test she would probably be alive. The dr told her not to take it until the test and didn't realize that it would be so far. The nurse didn't realize the dr told her not to take it. We didn't sue the dr but you can bet I reported it. No money could replace my mom. There is no way to put our family back to its original position. Why is it people think money is due them in that case. What is due is an apology from the dr and to admit he caused my mom's death. No I didn't report the nurse as she had no way of knowing my mom was even on it.
I am so very sorry to hear about your mother. Such a sad example of how easy it is to make very simple, yet lethal mistakes.
 | | Advertisement Sponsored Links | | | | No. 31 |
Jul 04, 2004, 03:03 AM
Just curious, for those that have mp insurance, what company did you go with?
On a side note, I attended a conferernce a few years back that talked about ways to avoid being named in a lawsuit. The biggest thing I took from it was that patients do not usually sue people that were kind to them or nurses/doctors that they liked. I've always tried to follow that advice because it makes a lot of sense.
| | No. 32 |
Jul 15, 2004, 07:49 PM
This is a very frequent topic here. A search will reveal many, many previous threads.
| | No. 34 |
Jul 16, 2004, 03:43 PM
Originally Posted by KacyLynnLPN I have ALWAYS had personal malpractice insurance. Why in the world wouldn't you? I have had people tell me that 'they won't go after me if I don't have insurance' and that is the most ignorant argument I've ever heard. I pay my $90 a year, I sleep better at night, and I know I will have help if something ever happened and I had to go to court. The peace of mind is priceless, I believe. 
Whatever makes you happy! :-)
The problem is not "they won't go after me if I don't have insurance." The problem is the MIGHT go after you if you DO have insurance.
The problem is NOT the $90 ... that's not very much money.
The problem is what that $90 might inadvertently buy for you: trouble, aggravation, and nuisance lawsuits.
In my book, $90 is very, very expensive for the potential headaches.
Jim Huffman, RN
| | No. 35 |
Jul 18, 2004, 06:36 PM
Updated
Jul 18, 2004 at 06:39 PM by Nurse4years
Originally Posted by KacyLynnLPN I have ALWAYS had personal malpractice insurance. Why in the world wouldn't you? I have had people tell me that 'they won't go after me if I don't have insurance' and that is the most ignorant argument I've ever heard. I pay my $90 a year, I sleep better at night, and I know I will have help if something ever happened and I had to go to court. The peace of mind is priceless, I believe.
It really isn't an ignorant argument, if you have had access to the 'other side'. Many people view it like they do homeowners or auto insurance. It isn't anything like it.
Persons who have had experience with the 'other side', (search the threads, I am not the only one)- will tell you the truth. (See #24 on this thread)
Attorney's go after the money.
The firms I worked in delighted in nursing insurance. They never 'went after' anyone without insurance.
Read the threads, investigate what persons in this forum with both legal and nursing experience have to say.
Keep an open mind, and DO NOT equate malpractice with homeowners or auto... apples and oranges.
| | No. 37 |
Jul 19, 2004, 12:39 AM
I carry my own, because I do alot of things outside the hospital as well, through Scouts, or at roadside accidents, etc.
Second: the nurses that I know who've been named in suits weren't named because they had insurance, but because theirs was the only nursing signature the lawyer could read (fact!). Everyone whose name appears anywhere in the chart gets named around here.
Third: my hospital would rather settle out of court than defend thier nurses. fact. Several colleagues were absolutely correct in their care according to the hospital lawyers, but weren't defended in court because it was easier & cheaper to settle. I want my own lawyer.
| | No. 38 |
Jul 19, 2004, 10:30 AM
Updated
Jul 19, 2004 at 10:34 AM by Nurse4years
Sorry trying to edit correctly | | No. 39 |
Jul 19, 2004, 10:34 AM
Updated
Jul 19, 2004 at 10:38 AM by Nurse4years
I carry my own, because I do alot of things outside the hospital as well, through Scouts, or at roadside accidents, etc.
I have no knowledge about what is covered. But, I have heard that many things are not covered. If they have included these acts to be covered, there must no be very many suits involving these issues.
(My concern is insurance taking money because of the myth that facilities do not cover their employees.)
Second: the nurses that I know who've been named in suits weren't named because they had insurance, but because theirs was the only nursing signature the lawyer could read (fact!). Everyone whose name appears anywhere in the chart gets named around here.
Do you really think that a lawyer would only list the nurses whose signature they could read? This is nonsense. Sorry, but this shows absolutely no knowledge of legalities. A very simple call/letter to the opposing attorney' office takes care of the signature issue. (Facilities have gone through time cards and old staffing sheets to provide that info. If unreadable signatures would prevent being named on a lawsuit...everyone would do it.)
Medical records are obtained and reviewed (expensive) by Physician/Nurse consultants.
Names of those involved are included. Then, personal malpractice insurance info is obtained.
Again, with all due respect, you are incorrect in many of your statements.
Third: my hospital would rather settle out of court than defend thier nurses. fact. Several colleagues were absolutely correct in their care according to the hospital lawyers, but weren't defended in court because it was easier & cheaper to settle. I want my own lawyer
This also shows a lack of legal knowledge. Most suits (95%) are settled. Your lawyer will work WITH the facilities' insurance lawyers. They WILL NOT "defend" you in court just because you want them to. Cases just don't go to court because you want everyone to see that you did the right thing. Doesn't happen.
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