Pick up Malpractice! They went after my license.

Nurses General Nursing

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A few months ago I was unjustly fired after a resident died, after my shift, and after she had been released from the emergency room. She had trouble swallowing something at lunch and another nurse suctioned her.

I was accused of neglect and reported to the state.

I only found out about it because I got a letter back saying, and I quote, "There is insufficient credible evidence to support that you are responsible for the alleged incident." Thank goodness for my unit clerk, who refused to change her story after being requested to by the DON. She told him, "I told the truth, and I'm not changing it."

Luckily I was cleared, but if I had to be fighting right new - whew!

Malpractice insurance won't save your nursing license. Its purpose is to protect your wallet from the blood-sucking lawyers.

And to provide me with legal defense should I go before the BON.

And not all lawyers are bloodsuckers. Not even most are.

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Student insurance is also available (required by my school for clinicals in 1980's) and today costs around $30/yr...still a bargain.

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No, the decent, ethical ones will save my butt. The blood-suckers stick to what they know how to do best.
Well, Im glad you concede that not all lawyers are unethical, you kind of made it sound like you meant ALL lawyers were blood sucking. I am involved in an employment lawsuit right now, and have hard working, ethical attorneys who have not taken a dime from me,they took my case on contingency of winning, and I am very greatful to them.
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Rememeber the unit clerk? Just ran into some people from the old place. They got rid of her.

How do I find a stinkin' lawyer?!

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TAANA, The American Assn of Nurse Attorneys would be able to give references to local attorneys dealing with nursing issues. In lieu of their reference, an employment lawyer that states in his/her advertisement that they handle cases for the employee, not the employer. Hope you can locate the former unit clerk and that she is still of like mind. Good luck.

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sue, it would seem that they rid them selves of you, and tried to compromise your license not because you did anything wrong, but to throw the blame elsewhere....what i am curious about, is why the state didnt come to talk to you about the issue, whenul they investgated the death? i am sure they would have found it an enlightening experience....

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sue, it would seem that they rid them selves of you, and tried to compromise your license not because you did anything wrong, but to throw the blame elsewhere....what i am curious about, is why the state didnt come to talk to you about the issue, whenul they investgated the death? i am sure they would have found it an enlightening experience....

I don't think they needed to. They discovered quickly that it was a proverbial crock.

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I don't think they needed to. They discovered quickly that it was a proverbial crock.

i was thinking of the death investigation,,,not your license......what was the out come on that? were they held liable in any way (for the death)?

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Sue, thanks for sharing your experience with us. I had the same speech in school that others mentioned in addition to having a couple of attorneys come in and reps from a local hospital to give us a lovely 2-3 hour lecture on how the hospital would back us up blah blah blah...After reading your experience, I've purchased insurance. I SOOOO appreciate you for sharing, probably saved my backside before it happens!

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Specializes in jack of all trades.

Call your state nurses association and ask them for a listing. Also there are other forums with nurses that have or are currently dealing with various issues and have sought attorneys with this experience. I can provide a link to a very good one if you need just pm me. If you can find someone by "word of mouth" with the reputation required to succeed then that's where you go. Dont hesitate to question them regarding thier experience and success. Also if you get the quarterly news letters/papers from your state BON many times they also have attorneys that advertise in those. I know they do here in Florida. If you check with a good administrative attorney in your area he/she may also know of someone by referral. You may even have to travel a few hours to another area to see a good one but it will be well worth it down the road.

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i was thinking of the death investigation,,,not your license......what was the out come on that? were they held liable in any way (for the death)?

I have no way of knowing that, morte.

And thanks, Lacie. Check your PM.

:)

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