Has anyone ever had to go to court?

1happygirl · May 10, 2006

I am interested also. As a new nurse coming into the profession, this is a worry...

Tweety, BSN, RN · May 10, 2006

I've had a couple of depositions, where they called me in to clarify a few things. It was nerve wracking to see my charting photocopied in the hands of a lawyer who was suing us. Fortunately what I had to offer in both cases didn't interest them and I wasn't called to trial, or they settled out of court, I'm not sure which.

A co-worker is going to trial over a patient that died on her shift. She said during her deposition she broke down in tears. I really feel for her.

burn out · May 10, 2006

I have been to two depositions. One where my charting was very important in regards to and IV site and the second one I wasn't even that patients nurse and had done no charting but was in on the code.

flashpoint · May 10, 2006

I've been in on a couple of depositions...both were AAOx3 females who knew they needed help to get out of bed, but tried to do it on their own and fell. Both ended up with fractured hips. Neither were my patient, but on one, I had charted "Call light in place, states will call PRN." Those eight little words helped save our backsides. The other one had sued the hospital 10 times before (yet kept bringing her back), and I happened to be in her room getting the B/P monitor when she told the doctor, "I just know that Mexican woman (her assigned nurse that night was Hispanic) "is going to drop me." I charted it and told the charge nurse, who told the patient she was not making new assignments based on race (and race is why the woman didn't want this nurse caring for her).

I've been I've been to court four times as a witness for the prosecution...I was lead paramedic on a shooting, a stabbing, a shaken baby, and an MVA. That was more scary than being a witness for the defense like in the other two!

MajorAl · May 10, 2006

I learned more about charting in one day in court than all the inservices I have ever attended. Some important facts: Lawyers like to photocopy pages, so make sure the patients name and/or hospital number are on every page you write on. Be clear in your charting, and if you must use abbreviations, only use common ones that are approved at your place of employment. If you are unsure, take the extra second to write it out in full. Use generic names instead of brand names for medications whenever charting PRNs. (Read about Tylenol® in the 1970s or 1980s). Remember you have better odds at winning the lottery than being in court, but it's more fun to win the lottery.

king of codes · May 10, 2006

I've given one deposition. Despite excellent charting, as the spouse was a known lawyer, (and everything that could have gone wrong did), it was very unnerving. Even though I felt very firmly that I had done no wrong and charted through my teeth... the prosecution was able to find tiny places that raised questions that just seemed to snowball in the deposition. And this was with the knowlege that a court date would be likely.

My hospital settled, even though the harm that occured to the patient were basic well established risks of "therapy". The deposition, despite feeling confident in my actions still caused great worry, stress and every other adjetive involved.

I also sat in on a case to support our nurses when they were called to testify.... it's beyond ugly, the stuff that nightmares are made of.

so I always say and do.... chart for a jury, chart for a jury (we always seem to skip protecting ourselves with our charting to care for the patients that are suing us:uhoh3: ) what a mess!

just know that any good facility will back you as long as you follow policy and document to their standards... mine had my back the whole way, it was the only comfort in the process.

ps, the first thing the prosecution asks in a deposition after you verify you're you........ "do you carry your own insurance"...... I never have and never will.... they would have tried to take me down:devil:

rob

GooeyRN, ADN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN · May 10, 2006

ps, the first thing the prosecution asks in a deposition after you verify you're you........ "do you carry your own insurance"...... I never have and never will.... they would have tried to take me down:devil:

rob

They are allowed to ask this? How is it relevant?

TazziRN, RN · May 10, 2006

ps, the first thing the prosecution asks in a deposition after you verify you're you........ "do you carry your own insurance"...... I never have and never will.... they would have tried to take me down:devil:
rob

They are allowed to ask this? How is it relevant?

Gooey, in a medical malpractice suit they will name anyone and everyone that there is any hope of getting money out of. If you have your own malpractice insurance, it's another source of money for the plaintiff.

GooeyRN, ADN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN · May 10, 2006

It just seems wrong to me, to be able to go after whoever has money available, and not go after those who don't. Shouldn't they be going after whoever was negligent, not who has the money? That just seems so wrong to me!!!

NrsJena · May 10, 2006

Welcome to the world of today.....

gr8rnpjt, RN · May 10, 2006

A friend of mine had to go to court in the 1980's. She was an OB/GYN nurse and was asked to go along with a transport to a larger hospital with an NICU. The mom was checked prior to transfer and only slightly dilated. Well, guess what happens right after they leave the hospital, the mom starts pushing adn the baby is born en route. There was a bad outcome and this nurse was sued. I think there was a judgement against her and the hospital and luckily she was covered under the hospital insurance.