The Need to Obtain Malpractice Insurance Policy
In the current healthcare sector, medical malpractice insurance is one of the common policies that are taken by employers to cover themselves as well as their employees. The policy is aimed to cover lawsuit costs whenever they are claimed. However, nurses face several myths surrounding professional liability insurance, which prevents them from taking their policies. From the period I was employed, I have seen some of my colleagues sued for medical malpractice even in cases where the allegations are unfounded. This paper will discuss my intentions of having the cover and the reasons behind it.
It is a myth to claim that physicians are the only ones who are sued for cases of malpractice. Besides, the trend which indicated that physicians are sued more than the nurses has shifted recently with the number of cases involving nursing practitioners rising rapidly. This has been linked with the current recognition of individual contribution to care plans as well as accountability in the part of nurses (Pohlman, 2019). This, together with the possibility of being sued for malpractice based on their decisions and actions for patient care. Thus, it is not just a physician who gets sued; nurses also face those challenges which, therefore, which makes me consider to take my cover just in case.
Besides, employee coverage has a lot of gaps, and it cannot cover all the risks associated with being sued. The fact is that it addresses the interests of the employer primarily (Oliver, 2016). For example, incidences that result in a lawsuit and fall outside the job description or those not within the policy inclusion might result in the failure of the employer to defend you. Also, the employer policy will not cover cases that are filed after termination or resignation (Pohlman, 2019). In other cases, the employer can also file a counterclaim against you when it finds out that you are responsible for the liability they face. Therefore, it is possible to find yourself no covered after all; hence, an employer’s policy is not reliable.
Furthermore, I once believed that you could also be sued when you make a mistake, but it is not the case. Anyone can sue you when he/she believes that you are responsible for certain patient outcomes, even in cases where they are not correct. Besides, a client who has not suffered any harm can still sue you to win a settlement (Pohlman, 2019). Unfortunately, you will incur costs whether the lawsuit has merit or not. However, the good thing with malpractice insurance is that it offers protection against financial ruin that can come in from the case and thus, offering peace of mind.
Besides, having your own malpractice insurance has also a lot of benefits, which includes being given an attorney who will represent your specific needs. In other policies, you are even allowed to choose your attorney. Additionally, being covered by both personal and employer’s policies will enable the firms to coordinate benefits, representation, and settlement of any payments (Correll & Correll, 2018). Other benefits that are not usually in employer’s policy include first-aid expenses, coverage for insult, license protection benefits, and property damage. With all this, I have no doubts about going for the individual policy.
Conclusively, malpractice insurance for nurses is something essential in the current health sector to avoid unexpected frustrations. Several myths are present concerning the issue, but its close consideration will create the need to have a personal cover. Therefore, the benefits and the intentions of being on the safe side are the driving force for me taking the cover.
References
Correll, R., & Correll, R. (2018, December 11). When Should You Get Your Own Malpractice Insurance?: Berxi™. Retrieved from https://www.berxi.com/resources/articles/when-to-get-your-own-malpractice-insurance/.
Oliver, R. (2016, April 18). Should Nurses Consider Medical Malpractice Insurance, Too? Retrieved from https://minoritynurse.com/should-nurses-consider-medical-malpractice-insurance-too/.
Pohlman, K. J. (2019, October 2). Why you need your own malpractice insurance. Retrieved from https://www.americannursetoday.com/need-malpractice-insurance/.
