Liability Coverage.

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  1. Should nurses carry liability insurance?

12 members have participated

I was wondering how many of you ICU nurses carry personal . The nurses on my unit insist on not carrying it, including our charge who also works as a legal nurse consultant. She stated that she has seen lawyers go after nurses for simply having the insurance. I'm confused. So many things happen in a single shift, I'm sure we've all done something wrong at some point. Seems crazy to me that people truly think a 60,000/year employee is worth suing. But, people on this thread insist. What is your opinion on liability insurance.

Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
If you have no real assets, what the hell are they going to take from you lol??? I hear all the time nurses afraid of getting sued as if we make all this money. I do see your point with regards to having it for BON issues.

They can garnish wages, take your bank account, owned home or vehicle if the judgement is large enough.

Liability/malpractice insurance is not just about lawsuits. It covers your time lost from giving a deposition with legal representation or answering other subpoenaed interrogatories with a lawyer representing your interest. If you do make an error mitigating damages and protecting your license and assets, if you fall victim to addiction or diversion of narcotics legal representation, coverage for a HiPAA violation. Many even offer nursing continuing education units. It's having legal representation to protect your license and your best interest.

At ~$100/year for a staff RN/LPN employed by a company (premiums are much higher for those self-employed as the risks are higher) (and 50% discount for new grads) it's less than $10/month for legal representation and advice that you hopefully will never need!

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I'm strongly considering it given all your guys response. It seems like everyone has a different opinion lol

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Being personally sued is not the real threat to our livelihoods and net worth as nurses. In reality, the typical nurse is far more likely to end up defending oneself against the state board of nursing due to a complaint.

Most policies provide reimbursement up to $10,000 should you ever need to hire a lawyer to for defense against charges made by the BON. Without legal consultation, a nurse might end up with censures including fines, formal warnings, remedial education, probation, suspension, limited licensure, and the potential of licensure revocation. All of these various types of censures will negatively impact a nurse's ability to find employment.

A good lawyer can mean the difference between a blemish-free nursing license and revocation of licensure. The annual premium for a typical liability insurance policy amounts to less than one hour of attorney's fees.

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Specializes in critical care.

I had a coworker tell me I'm nuts for getting and I need to just think more positively.

Right..... Like the license that requires me to pull over and assist at a MVA scene if no first responders are present is somehow going to magically protect me if something goes wrong there. God knows the hospital wouldn't.

It's a very, very small price to pay to know that you're covered. Why take chances?

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
I had a coworker tell me I'm nuts for getting liability insurance and I need to just think more positively.

Right..... Like the license that requires me to pull over and assist at a MVA scene if no first responders are present is somehow going to magically protect me if something goes wrong there. God knows the hospital wouldn't.

It's a very, very small price to pay to know that you're covered. Why take chances?

What state mandates that a nurse pull over and assist? Most states it's call 911 if you witness an accident. Many nurses aren't skilled in EMS or first aid (especially without supplies or equipment) so would be the same as any other passer by.

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ixchel, your state really mandates that you stop and assist at accidents because you are a licensed RN? I would not be willing to live in a state with that requirement.

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