Has Anyone Ever USED Their Malpractice Insurance?

[pagandeva2000]

I was reading the thread about the disappointing visit to the BON and this gives rise for another discussion for me. Has anyone ever used their malpractice insurance? Did it really save money, or did you still have to pay an attorney out of your own pocket? I am curious because it makes me wonder...NSO doesn't charge too much, just under $100 a year, but does that really help us when we are in trouble, or does it just make us feel comfortable to have it?

[Tom123]

Interesting discussion...but as with any insurance it's better to have and not need than need and not have! If you've done no wrong NO ONE gives a rip whether or not you have insurance--they're coming after you, that is their right. And if you haven't made an error, just defending yourself can be exceptionally costly, even if you leave it up to your hospital to provide council. In most cases, win or loose, they WILL come after you for any expenses they incurred because of your involvement.

It has been my experience, though, that nurses have more to fear from their employers than patients. All the malpractice coverage in the world won't help you if you've been wrongfully terminated and your 'in its back pocket' Union sides with management. I was even advised to NOT seek Unemployment Compensation because it would "look bad for my case" and be a show of "bad faith." At age 59 with 37 years tenure you'd think I would have been smart enough to get my own lawyer. But, then, I'd never been fired before. Once you've been stripped of your dignity, pride and basic trust, loosing your full pension and accrued benefit days (275!) with no chance of rehire ANYWHERE seems insignificant...until you sign up for Skimpy Social Security when your savings are depleted. THEN it matters.

Thank you for telling us your story. It really shows how important it is to have malpractice insurance.

God Bless and Keep you.

[Josiemom]

Oh my gosh! Thank you for sharing. May God Bless you