I received a letter late Friday telling me I was a "fact witness" , NOT a defendant, in a lawsuit regarding a procedure I was involved in, last April 2001! Has anyone else ever had this happen? I am now to the point where at least I don't hyperventilate anymore when I look at the letter. I feel like *I* did something wrong (the patient died) but I am not the one being sued, and I can't think of anything I did wrong anyways. But I also don't remember that much about it at this point. I am very nervous, any advice out there? Is this something I need to get my own counsel for? I do have nursing Liability Insurance, am I supposed to call my insurance co. about it too? help, please!
I of course will be calling the lawyers who sent me the letter tomorrow, and going from there, but I know you guys will help me!
We just had this sort of thing come up on my unit. Several nurses had to give depositions in a lawsuit concerning a patient who died. They reviewed the medical record first. One told me how glad she was to see that she'd documented pertinent labwork before giving a medication that can contribute to the illness the patient died from (I wouldn't have known to document it - I have improved my documentation since...).
It was really scary, but the lawsuit was dropped against all but the MD. There is a lot of fishing that goes on in the beginning of a case - most of it never goes anywhere.
Take a deep breath, stick to the facts, you'll be okay.
I had a co-worker/friend who was asked to give a deposition and told not to discuss it with anyone before the deposition. She was not named as a defendant, just told to discuss the facts. She HONESTLY BELIEVED that the hospital lawyers would be fair with her. At the deposition; they ripped her to shreads nd spit her out.
She is no longer a nurse. Her confidence in her (excellent!) nursing skills is shot. She should have had her own lawyer.
Jas honey
36 Posts
well, i have called everyone there is to call.....i have to review records and then give a deposition. my stomach doesnt feel very good today
thank you ALL for the good advice! i have an attorney from my group's practice (i work for a private cardiology group) that i can hire on my own.
sheesh with all the other crap we have to worry about, why does this have to be thrown in the middle of the mess.