Lawsuit Threats from Family Members

Say, "that's certainly your right" and continue what you were doing. They are looking for a reaction, don't give them one.

First.. Good luck, difficult family members rarely "lighten up".
Second... Ask them what SPECIFICALLY their concern is, and if they would like, they can sit with the director of that department(make sure YOUR director is on board with this answer) (ie:nursing/medicine/nutrition/therapy/social services)
and review what they have told you, and the director can make them aware of the current policy and procedures of that problematic area.
Third: Dont get ruffled. Canoe is right, they are looking for a reaction, and if they can fluster you, and make you feel inadequate, then you undermine yourself.
Difficult families are a challenge, but if you handle their concern, and give them the proper venue to discuss it, you have adequately handled it from you job title perspective. It is not your job to dissuade them from accusations, it is your job to let them feel that their concerns are being respected. The worst thing you can do is make a fammily member feel that they are 'just being silly' or that their concerns arent worth investigation.

Always be a resource, and a patient advocate.

I think what sitcom has said is excellent advice.

And if all the above doesn't work, ask them if they want to borrow the yellow pages.

ROFLMAO!! That is too funny!

I'll put that on my list of things I want to say on the day before I give up my license forever.

Here is a thread about this subject:

http://allnurses.com/forums/f87/im-g...ht=threat+suit

I just process that type of behavior as a 'Please help me with this question, I am obviously overwhelmed with what is going on with mom or dad and I feel that I need to threaten you"
I just answer like I would with a proper polite question. The threats are usually not offered again.

And remember that some people feature the word "sue" prominently in their vocabulary.

I think it becomes almost a reflex. Anything in life doesn't go exactly the way they want, they start yelling "sue" to anybody handy.

I am also convinced that there are people who don't play the lottery, they file lawsuits instead.