Liability insurance

elkpark · Jul 16, 2005

This question has been debated ad infinitum (ad nauseum?) here (although I often wonder whether anyone has changed her/his mind as a result ...) There are numerous old threads you can search and review to find extended discussion of the pros and cons. Best wishes on your residency --

hollyster · Jul 16, 2005

I carry coverage. The hsp I worked at when I first started said that you were opening yourself up and that they would cover you if you were sued. After working risk management and seeing how the nurses were left, the hsp lawyer primary concern is protecting the hsp, not you. I always say buy coverage. For less than what you on sodas you can protect your family, your license and your future earnings.

Good Luck

grannynurse FNP student · Jul 17, 2005

I carry coverage. The hsp I worked at when I first started said that you were opening yourself up and that they would cover you if you were sued. After working risk management and seeing how the nurses were left, the hsp lawyer primary concern is protecting the hsp, not you. I always say buy coverage. For less than what you on sodas you can protect your family, your license and your future earnings.
Good Luck

I couldn't agree with you more. The first aim, of the facilities attorney is to protect the facility. If that means protecting you, they will. If they lose because of something proceived to be your fault, watch out. I worked as an assistant administrator, in a 450 bed teaching facility and it was stressed, facility comes first. I have always carried my own insurance.

Grannynurse :balloons:

suzanne4, RN · Jul 17, 2005

I would not consider working without my own policy.

Editorial Team / Admin · Jul 17, 2005

i would not consider working without my own policy.

and, i could not agree more, suzanne. i have my own policy as well. in this day and age of litigation, it is the prudent nurse who looks ahead to the future and attempts to thwart career suicide.

siri, crnp, clnc, rlnc

toadie · Jul 17, 2005

hey Tnnurse05 im in a similar situation as you. i just graduated in may and passed my boards on 7-6. i was told by instructors that you are only covered by your work policy if you are at work following their procedure exactly. so, if you are not at work you are not covered. the example given to me was that you will only be covered by your employer if you are employed at the time you are sued and go to court. so, if the pt care issue results in a suspension or termination of employment and you have no personal insurance you will be on your own. this is what i was told by my instructors, so, i will be purchasing my own insurance. hope this helps.

CEN35 · Jul 17, 2005

the Pro's are:

You know your covered.

It will help you when the hospital, decides they would be better off hanging you out to dry on your own.

The Con's:

Allegedly once a plaintiff finds out you have insurance, it makes you a target because they know they can get a decent amount of cash from your company.

It tends to make the general public, or plaintiffs think........"they have it because they have screwed up before, and are covering themselves for their known negligence."

I have it, always have.......... what the hell? For $80 a year. If it comes down to the facility or you, it won't be the facility, that's a guarentee.

zacarias, ASN, RN · Jul 17, 2005

Allegedly once a plaintiff finds out you have insurance, it makes you a target because they know they can get a decent amount of cash from your company.
It tends to make the general public, or plaintiffs think........"they have it because they have screwed up before, and are covering themselves for their known negligence."
.

How would a plaintiff know that the nurse has malpractice insurance? The word plaintiff implies that someone is sueing the the nurse not knowing if they had insurance or not.

Also, the general public may think that having malpractice ins. means a nurse has messed up, but again, I wouldn't tell anyone if I had malpractice insurance or not. Secondly, plaintiffs can't use that opinion to sway their case anyway.

Editorial Team / Admin · Jul 18, 2005

how would a plaintiff know that the nurse has malpractice insurance? the word plaintiff implies that someone is sueing the the nurse not knowing if they had insurance or not.
also, the general public may think that having malpractice ins. means a nurse has messed up, but again, i wouldn't tell anyone if i had malpractice insurance or not. secondly, plaintiffs can't use that opinion to sway their case anyway.

during discovery, an investigator for the plaintiff can find out anything. but, you are correct...that information will not and cannot be used to "sway" the case.

siri, crnp, clnc, rlnc