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If you rely on the hospital's Liability Insurance and you didn't follow policy and procedure 100% to the comma and period....you will not be covered by the insurance.
Having your own liability insurance might make you more susceptible to being named in a suit simply for the fact that you have malpractice insurance.
Having your own liability insurance might make you more susceptible to being named in a suit simply for the fact that you have malpractice insurance.
Who would know that you have malpractice insurance? One of our instructors told us not to get insurance for this reason, but you can still be named without having your own malpractice insurance, and then what? Hope your employer doesn't throw you under the bus?
Health Care is a very litigious field to work in. Any incident causing serious harm to a patient may result in lawsuits worth millions of $$$ being brought against every member of the team involved, and we all know how easy it is to make mistakes when we're tired and overworked.
Having adequate cover is wisdom, because there is one thing you can be guaranteed of; if you are found liable in a lawsuit, your employer is not going to cough up one cent to save the roof over your head and the clothes on your back...
It's a myth that having Liability Insurance makes you a bigger target for a malpractice lawsuit. You can be a target with it or without it. A malpractice lawsuit often names all kinds of people in the hope that someone will settle.
It's also a myth that you don't need protection if you have no assets. A negative judgment against you can attach to future earnings and assets.
Liability insurance covers you far better than the hospital's policy, especially when there is a conflict of interest or the administration is looking for someone to throw under the bus as a sacrificial lamb.
It also covers you when you're volunteering. The hospital policy only covers you when you're working for them.
You can get help if you are ever called upon to testify against someone else or if you are injured by a patient and need assistance with that kind of situation.
And finally, it just makes sense to get it. The cost of a year's coverage is usually less than the fee for one hour of attorney time. For me it's a no-brainer.
It's a myth that having liability insurance makes you a bigger target for a malpractice lawsuit. You can be a target with it or without it. A malpractice lawsuit often names all kinds of people in the hope that someone will settle.It's also a myth that you don't need protection if you have no assets. A negative judgment against you can attach to future earnings and assets.
Liability insurance covers you far better than the hospital's policy, especially when there is a conflict of interest or the administration is looking for someone to throw under the bus as a sacrificial lamb.
It also covers you when you're volunteering. The hospital policy only covers you when you're working for them.
You can get help if you are ever called upon to testify against someone else or if you are injured by a patient and need assistance with that kind of situation.
And finally, it just makes sense to get it. The cost of a year's coverage is usually less than the fee for one hour of attorney time. For me it's a no-brainer.
Excellent post and advice. Pls follow it.
Should a new nurses purchase malpractice insurance? If so what are some of the recommended insurance companies that are used. I know that it would be beneficial if something happened, but what are the odds of something tragic happening in your nursing career.
In Canada all nurses according to the College of Nurses guidelines MUST have malpractice insurance.I got it for $239 for the year through my regulating body.There are no if and's or but's here.We HAVE to carry it.
Definitely get malpractice insurance to cover your butt!I am in Canada and got it through my regulating body(RPNAO).
I am not sure where you are though?
blaze2510
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Does anyone have personal Liability Insurance, why or why not? I am doing a project for school, and have to ask a nurse about this, and review a liability insurance policy brochure.
THanks