This is becoming increasingly important as claims against nurses to state nursing authorities increase. The insurance policy limits set the amount paid for a single event (event/claim) and a maximum amount (aggregate) for other possible claims during the life of the insurance. While there is no database that provides guidance on what constitutes “sufficient coverage,” current insurance policies should cover the costs of litigation and claims for damages or settlement payments. In particular, there are limits to the types of claims that nurses` malpractice insurance will cover. Exclusions include dishonest or criminal acts and sexual misconduct, including patient complaints about sexual harassment and situations of reckless disregard on the part of the nurse. As long as you keep your care license, even when retired, on leave or on vacation, an injured party can file a complaint with the care committee. Also, keep in mind that employer coverage only covers you if you perform tasks on behalf of your employer. Volunteering outside of your job is your own responsibility. If you volunteer for employer-sponsored community health events, you will receive written assurances that your employer`s liability insurance policy will cover your performance-related actions at the event. There are several reputable companies that offer long-term care defect insurance, and choosing the best one for you depends on your individual needs. Here is a list of the highest rated companies in the industry: The information in this article does not constitute legal advice. This division of insurance giant Berkshire Hathaway stands out for its legal defense outside the liability limit provided by your policy, increasing coverage.
Nurses can manage their premium costs by opting for different deductible options. Butler S. Do all nurses need malpractice insurance? J Radiol nurses. 2019;38(3):148-9. doi:10.1016/j.jradnu.2019.05.018 Individual insurance against breastfeeding errors is usually cheap. The average cost is about $100 per year, but as with other forms of insurance, the actual price of your premium will vary based on what insurers consider risk factors. Insurance costs for errors of care vary depending on: Individual professional liability insurance protects nurses from lawsuits brought against them by a patient, a patient`s personal representative, or the State Board of Care (SBON). Although doctors are the most affected by lawsuits, nurses are also sued regularly. In all practice settings, nurses provide most of the practical care to patients, exposing them to civil, regulatory and, in some cases, criminal activities.
According to the legal doctrine of the senior responder (let the master answer), employers remain liable for the actions performed by employees in the course of their employment, and nurses can be involved in a lawsuit even if they follow the standard of care. To manage risk and minimize liability, many nurses purchase their own malpractice insurance without first understanding liability coverage and its intricacies. Typical conduct liability insurance policies set limits of $1,000,000 (claim) / $3,000,000 to $6,000,000 (aggregated) with $10,000 per claim / $25,000 total to cover disciplinary action taken by regulatory bodies such as the State Board of Nursing. A policy with these limits pays up to $1,000,000 for a single claim and up to a total of $3,000,000 to $6,000,000 for a combination of separate claims over a policy period, depending on the coverage purchased. Pohlman KJ. Why you need your own professional liability insurance. I am a nurse today. 2015;10(11):28-30. Tail insurance, which extends coverage beyond the insurance period, provides sufficient coverage through the statute of limitations, after which a patient can no longer file a complaint. In most states, the statute of limitations for prosecution is 3 to 5 years, except for minors whose parents can sue on behalf of the child up to the age of 18. At that time, the child can continue in his own name until the age of 21.
Sharon P. O`Neill is Vice Chair of the Department of Nursing, Director of the Family Nurse Practitioner Program, and Clinical Associate Professor at the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles. Most policies offer liability of up to $1 million per claim, but limit the total payment per insurance period to $6 million. The majority of professional liability insurance payments are used to pay lawyers` fees, but a significant amount is also used for legal costs, actual damages (damages and penalties), and arbitration and settlement costs. Nursing insurance also covers legal representation in the event of complaints to the nursing committee.