Personal malpractice insurance....yes or no?

RNBSN1 · Jul 19, 2004

AAbsolutely!!!!!!

allnurses Guide · Jul 19, 2004

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.

mscsrjhm · Jul 19, 2004

Sorry trying to edit correctly

mscsrjhm · Jul 19, 2004

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.

mother/babyRN, RN · Jul 19, 2004

Yes, definitely, ESPECIALLY in OB...The hospital attorney and hospital period are not going to be as behind you as you think....If it is between you or a doc they will sacrifice you....Have seen that happen too often..

mscsrjhm · Jul 20, 2004

Yes, definitely, ESPECIALLY in OB...The hospital attorney and hospital period are not going to be as behind you as you think....If it is between you or a doc they will sacrifice you....Have seen that happen too often..

I have never worked OB, don't know much about birthin' babies.

But, keep in mind, it is not the 'hospital attorney', it is the insurance attorney. Their agenda is alot different than the hospitals'.

mother/babyRN, RN · Jul 20, 2004

True, although you do actuallly have to talk with both sets and if you are the one being sued, they do not generally strive very hard to protect you personally...

mscsrjhm · Jul 20, 2004

True, although you do actuallly have to talk with both sets and if you are the one being sued, they do not generally strive very hard to protect you personally...

Meaning, if your name is included in the suit? (you wouldn't be sued alone for something done at work.. the facility would be named first.)

Even a personal malpractice attorney isn't interested in protecting YOU, they are interested in protecting the insurance $$$. It isn't that you have your own personal lawyer, just for you. This is one of the myths.

Their interest is in reducing damages. (And getting paid that hourly rate-but they can only draw that out for so long)

mattsmom81 · Jul 20, 2004

If I worked mother baby I would definitely carry malpractice no doubt.

Lawyers in my state are suing nurses more and more...and it does have something to do with the fact the $$$ is available for them to get at. I've never carried it nor have I been named in a lawsuit. (my facility has) I suspect if I had carried insurance I would have been included in several suits.

It's our own personal decision to carry insurance or not.

mscsrjhm · Jul 20, 2004

If I worked mother baby I would definitely carry malpractice no doubt.
Lawyers in my state are suing nurses more and more...and it does have something to do with the fact the $$$ is available for them to get at. I've never carried it nor have I been named in a lawsuit. (my facility has) I suspect if I had carried insurance I would have been included in several suits.
It's our own personal decision to carry insurance or not.

More and more states are capping damages, which means attorneys will start going after nurses more frequently.

katzrkool · Jul 21, 2004

I just graduated and will be starting work in a couple weeks. Can anyone who has malpractice insurance recommend a good company to go through "just in case."

jeepgirl, LPN, NP · Jul 23, 2004

while i was a student, we had to have malpractice insurance or we weren't permitted at the clinical sites... period.

There was a thread on this when I first came here and just about everyone said to get it, so I am...even as a student, I am going to carry my own malpractice insurance. I don't trust ANYONE to back me up and am not willing to lose everything over some imagined slight I may or may not have performed!