Malpractice Insurance

Speculating · Feb 7, 2004

Originally posted by Idaho Nurse
I'll be graduating in May and was wondering how important other nurses think it is to carry their own malpractice insurance. Are most nurses carrying their own insurance?

That's big debate. It really depends on what you have to lose in my opinion. Some beleive it's not good to carry it because if you have a 2 million dollar policy the lawyers are coming after you for 2 million dollars. They want the big money. So if you don't have if you don't have a lot, the lawyers might just skip you on the lawsuit. If you did something wrong their going to come after you, but if you don't have a bunch of assets they're not going to come after you as hard as they will the hospital/doctor.

NICU_RNwantsFL · Feb 7, 2004

for $90/year, how can you even consider not carrying it?

even if you don't have many assets, a roof over your head and a car to drive to work are both helpful, no? kiss those goodbye!

forgoing malpractice insurance because you don't have many assets is like forgoing car insurance (and, yes, i know many folks do! ) because you don't have many assets.

no matter how few assets you have, you will lose them all.

lots of hospitals say oh don't worry we will stand behind you if you get sued.

yeah, they will stand behind you all right - so far behind that they are nowhere to be found!

if you don't care about yourself, at least protect your family and get the insurance.

Altra, BSN, RN · Feb 7, 2004

Originally posted by Speculating
Some beleive it's not good to carry it because if you have a 2 million dollar policy the lawyers are coming after you for 2 million dollars. They want the big money. So if you don't have if you don't have a lot, the lawyers might just skip you on the lawsuit.

Curious student here ...

If you (as a student or as an RN) are involved in the care of a patient who then files a suit, how would the pt. and/or attorney know whether or not you have your own policy?

The strongest argument I've heard in favor of individuals carrying their own policies is that the trend is to name EVERYONE who came within 50 feet of the pt. in the lawsuit, then let the courts sort it out.

Speculating · Feb 7, 2004

Originally posted by MLOS
Curious student here ...

If you (as a student or as an RN) are involved in the care of a patient who then files a suit, how would the pt. and/or attorney know whether or not you have your own policy?

The strongest argument I've heard in favor of individuals carrying their own policies is that the trend is to name EVERYONE who came within 50 feet of the pt. in the lawsuit, then let the courts sort it out.

Because you'll be named either way in the suit. During the affidavit they will ask you, and your sworn so you must answer.

Gompers, BSN, RN · Feb 7, 2004

When I first started working, the hospital told us that as long as we were on shift there, we were covered by the hospital's malpractice insurance. I don't know that anyone I work with has their own private insurance. I was told that if you had it, they would "go after" you more in a lawsuit than if you just used the hospital insurance. I also signed up for an agency and they said the same thing, that if I was working for them I would be covered by their insurance.

I am so confused!

:confused:

fiestynurse · Feb 7, 2004

I highly recommend it! First of all, it is very cheap. Most policies are around $90/year and provide extremely good coverage. It will not only cover you at your place of work, but also at your residence. It will reimburse you for expenses you incur in rendering first aid to others - good samaritan type stuff.

24/7 Protection!

However, I think that the best thing about these policies is the license protection that they provide. You get reimbursed for the costs of defending your license in a disciplinary hearing. Your work place won't do that! They are generally the ones reporting you to the board.

Other added benefits include: personal injury protection, assault coverage, and damage to property of others.

I would much rather have the lawyers go after my policy, then go after my home and everything I own.

fiestynurse · Feb 7, 2004

This is the policy that is recommended by the American Association of Nurse Attorneys:

http://www.nso.com/

VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN · Feb 7, 2004

I would much rather have the lawyers go after my policy, then go after my home and everything I own.

:eek: Point well taken!

We are seeing a dangerous trend develop--not only are nurses losing their licenses over issues resulting in patient harm, but they also are now facing criminal and civil charges!!!

A personal nursing malpractice insurance policy is a MUST.

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Feb 7, 2004

It may be important to know that even if you are covered by your hospital's malractice insurance, it doesn't remove any personal responsibility for your actions if anything happens that was seen as your fault. The hospital can choose to turn around and sue you when it's all over. Plus, you might want the option of having your own independent attorney (and not just the hosptal's atty who is there to benefit them) in a lawsuit. Also, an independent policy will cover you in voluntary, off-the-job activities as well. It's a pretty cheap deal for what you get.

ayndim · Feb 7, 2004

I am currently doing prereqs for the professional nursing program at our state university. Once I start the professional program I plan on having insurance. From what I understand students can also get sued.

Maybe nurses who have insurance are more likely to be sued but I would prefer to protect what I have worked hard to gain. I think most people see nurses as the underlings (although I certainly don't think so) and are more likely to hold the dr and hospital responsible. After all the nurse was just following orders. JMHO as I have never researched this. Still I want to be protected. And I don't trust the hospital to look out for my best interests. I certainly wouldn't be looking out for anyone else if I were being sued.

Andrea

nurturing_angel · Feb 7, 2004

I posted somewhere else on this subject. I used to have my own insurance coverage but dropped it. New employers had me convinced that I do not need it. But after reading all the posts here and thinking about it..I think I will re-enlist. I don't want to leave my future in the hands of some hospital board of trustees.