ltc and a lawsuit.

[psychgeribuff]

The ltc facility that I am employed with has a lawsuit filed agianst them. I have worked for them for 3 years and this is the first lawsuit since I have been there. We have always done well with state, have won many awards, and have had a good reputation.

How as staff nurses do you deal with this knowledge? The change in reputation in your community? The fear that you might get called in for deposition? And wondering if your managment will notify you about the lawsuit?

[enuf_already]

Not a long term care nurse but I would personally continue business as usual. Whether the charges are legitimate or unfounded are for the attorneys to decide. Remember, anyone can sue for anything at any time. Because someone has sued does not mean the charges have any validity.

That said, because people do sue for anything, for your protection, carry professional Liability Insurance. Also remember that if your facility settles out of court, it does not mean they have admitted guilt. Many times, it is easier to pay some settlement than to drag a case through court or through extended litigation. Sad that you can be totally innocent but pay a settlement because it's cheaper than fighting to prove innocence.

Your facility will likely not mention the suit to its employees. Why should they? You already know.

[lindarn]

Be aware, also, that if your are named in the suit, if you do not have your own Liability Insurance, you will be represented by the facility law firm.

While this sounds like a great idea, if you are named, and do not believe that you did nothing wrong, they will settle anyway, and leave you to figure out a way to exonerate yourself,especially if the BON is involved.

If you have your own liabity insurance, you can hire your own attorney, who will represent YOUR best interests, not the hospital.

That is why it is preferable to have your own insurance.

JMHO and my NY $0.02

Lindarn, RN, BSN, (CCRN)

Somewhere in the PACNW

[lifelearningrn, BSN, RN]

Unfortunately, Liability Insurance will only help with FUTURE incidents, not the current one, if she is, in fact, named in the lawsuit. Definitely know that there are lawsuits filed all the time against hospitals and LTC companies, so in of itself, you probably have nothing to worry about.

[psychgeribuff]

I have Liability Insurance and have had it since I passed my exam 4 years ago. I appreciate all your input and I will take everything into account. The lawsuit has been made very public and I read about it in the paper it blames the ltc facility for death due to understaffing and undertrained staff. It is such a small communit word gets around even my son's violin teacher was not wanting to preform our annual christmas concert thier due to this.

[lifelearningrn, BSN, RN]

Great news about you having insurance!! (I took the advice here and purchased it too!) I hope things settle down soon, bad press can be rough..

[amoLucia]

Great news about you having insurance!! (I took the advice here and purchased it too!) I hope things settle down soon, bad press can be rough..

GOOD for you and OP!!! Hope others who read this post will see the importance of having your own insurance!

To OP - just be careful and don't discuss ANYTHING with ANYBODY at ANYTIME, esp other visitors or families (like they say, 'loose lips sink ships' - that was an old motto from WW II). Things spoken have a way of being perpetuated so even if you're NOT named as a defendant in the lawsuit, something you said may be considered important enough for the family to want you to testify. You don't want to get dragged down into a lawsuit. Families talk with other families - they are NOT YOUR FRIENDS. And they will pump you for information.

Continue to do your job as you should be and avoid the bad press and fallout. That's good advice for anyone else in a similar situation.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Healthcare facilities are sued rather frequently. I would not worry too much about it.

I once worked at a large 200-bed LTC facility that was the target of lawsuits on a yearly basis. I have never been deposed, and hope I never will.

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

I've been in the business for more years than I'd care to admit. Someone is always suing someone for whatever they think they can get.

Don't say anything to anyone. If you get deposed, tell the truth. Answer what you're asked but don't volunteer anything. And, why in the world would someone not want to entertain the residents?

[caliotter3]

It was embarassing when our facility made the newspaper and the evening news, but we all lived through it. The smart ones made their way to different jobs and never looked back. Some of those who were not so furtunate and stuck around, kept their jobs in the long run, others were let go. It is all just part of the circle of things in healthcare. Best you can do is to follow the advice already given: maintain your own Liability Insurance and keep your mouth shut. Do your job to the best of your ability and watch out for your own interests.