Do nurses need malpractice insurance?

Silverdragon102, BSN · Jun 13, 2005

I was wondering if nurses in the UK need to get malpractice insurance. I live in the US and nurses are often named in malpractice suits. I don't know if it is the american culture that likes to blame people and make them pay or if it is also common in other countries. I would appreciate any feedback.
Have a Great day :)
Jen

I have worked for over 15 yrs as a nurse and have never had to think that we need malpractice insurance. We tend to be covered by our employer and I think the NP where I work has taken extra cover out for herself but I believe that it is just for her own piece of mind as NP is such a new thing over here and the nmc hasn't really decided what to do about it yet despite input from a lot of NP's of which I know 1 is a member on her so she may make a comment

karenG · Jun 13, 2005

anna........you have malpractice cover by virtue of being a member of the RCN!! your GP may have vicarious liability but you can still get sued.

I have RCN cover and Medical defense cover. nurses are sued over here but its not common. so if you come here work, join the RCN........thats all you need!

karen

madwife2002, BSN, RN · Jun 13, 2005

Hi,

Yes get good mal practice cover by RCN plus I believe you have some cover by the trust who employs you.

grannynurse FNP · Jun 15, 2005

I do not know about the U.K. but I am assuming it is similar to here in the States. Generally you are covered by your employer. However, here in the U.S., your employer can sue you for recovery, if your action makes them liable for a monetary award. I have always carried my own insurance. It is better to be safe then sorry.

Grannynurse :balloons:

Silverdragon102, BSN · Jun 15, 2005

I do not know about the U.K. but I am assuming it is similar to here in the States. Generally you are covered by your employer. However, here in the U.S., your employer can sue you for recovery, if your action makes them liable for a monetary award. I have always carried my own insurance. It is better to be safe then sorry.
Grannynurse :balloons:

once I get out to the USA and start work that was one of my priorities, would you be able to give me some pointers in good cover and good insurers? much appreciated :)

grannynurse FNP · Jun 16, 2005

once I get out to the USA and start work that was one of my priorities, would you be able to give me some pointers in good cover and good insurers? much appreciated :)

The best type of coverage is one that covers you for a specific period of time, even after you are no longer carrying their insurance or practicing. I was sued for malpractice and negligence, following a major car accident. My insurance provided an attorney to me. The client's attorney sued me for prior bad acts, i.e. I didn't insure that the WC insurance company had paid her tuition. He maintained that I should have paid it. The events all took place two years prior to the suit being filed and 9 months after I had cancelled my insurance, couldn't afford it. The good news is the judge finally dismissed it with prejuidice, meaning he could bring no further action against me.

Grannynurse :balloons:

madwife2002, BSN, RN · Jun 16, 2005

Hi,

Does a lot of litigation go on over in US? Here most of the cases of litigation are for very extreem cases, mostly people want an apology and an explaination. Patients and relatives tend to complain about the most petty things. Attitute and not rushing to tend to their needs especially when your busy can be areas of complaint.

Of course big mistakes go like wrong leg amputated, wrong drug, dose ect

Trauma Columnist · Jun 16, 2005

Yes, lawsuits in the US are totally out of hand. Frivolous and yes, they often name anyone who ever charted on the patient.

grannynurse FNP · Jun 16, 2005

Hi,
Does a lot of litigation go on over in US? Here most of the cases of litigation are for very extreem cases, mostly people want an apology and an explaination. Patients and relatives tend to complain about the most petty things. Attitute and not rushing to tend to their needs especially when your busy can be areas of complaint.
Of course big mistakes go like wrong leg amputated, wrong drug, dose ect

It depends on whom you talk to. The medical community believe that suits and their outcomes, are greatly out of control. The patients (on average) and their attornies feel attempts to restrict awards, is out of control. If you examine the amounty of jury awards and what is eventually paid out, the sum is greatly reduced. And the number of cases, where the award is great is very limited. Our news system adds greatly to the misconceptions, with stories about outrageous suits.

One would think, having been sued twice, I would be on the side of the medical community. I am not. I believe the costs, to some specialities, has risen for two reasons:

1. Failure to police one's own.

2. Losses by insurance companies, their rising costs, their own profit margins.

I recall what happen, in NYS, back in the 70s when one major company made very bad investments, lost a good portion of their reserve (money put asside to pay out their losses) and attempted to pass all their cost on.

Nurses, in general, do not end up paying out large sums of money. They may be named but attornies are more interested in the 'deep pocket' defendents-the facilities, the doctors. However, this is most likely to change, in the near future.

Of course, this is all IMHO.

Grannynurse :balloons:

expatnurse · Jun 18, 2005

Do you get mal practice cover just by being part of RCN or it something extra you must pay for? Off the topic a bit here but what do you think of the new training that student nurses go through? Are you as a nurse/mentor happy with the end product?

Hi,
Yes get good mal practice cover by RCN plus I believe you have some cover by the trust who employs you.

expatnurse · Jun 18, 2005

I think that lawsuites are becoming more common over here. But not near what they are in the states. As a student I have never met any nurses who have been taken to court but I think the NMC deals with issues (complainents) by conduct hearing but I might be wrong. :balloons:

I was wondering if nurses in the UK need to get malpractice insurance. I live in the US and nurses are often named in malpractice suits. I don't know if it is the american culture that likes to blame people and make them pay or if it is also common in other countries. I would appreciate any feedback.
Have a Great day :)
Jen