When nurses care for multiple patients at a time, it puts them at risk of malpractice claims and lawsuits. Let’s take a look at the most common risks for nurses and how to reduce the chance of a mishap.
Avoiding claims in the first place can help you avoid costly litigation, as well as the risk of damaging your reputation. However, you’ll still need medical malpractice coverage and other types of insurance to stay financially protected. Of course, you’re better off just avoiding a malpractice claim in the first place.
What is medical malpractice for a nurse?
For nurses, medical malpractice means failing to provide a standard of care that meets the guidelines of their profession, known as the “duty of care.” It’s the type of medical care that a competent nurse would provide.
If a nurse’s negligence causes a patient injury, pain, suffering, or wrongful death, they could face an expensive malpractice lawsuit from the patient or their loved ones.
According to the National Library of Medicine, to win a medical malpractice case against a medical professional, a medical malpractice attorney must prove that a healthcare provider acted negligently in rendering care, which resulted in an injury.
A patient alleging medical negligence must prove four legal requirements to make a successful claim of medical malpractice:
A nurse or doctor had a legal duty to provide care or treatment to the patient.
The medical provider breached this duty by failing to adhere to the standards of their profession.
There was a causal relationship between this breach of duty and a personal injury of the patient.
The existence of damages from the injury that the legal system can provide redress.
Any monetary damages a patient receives from a medical malpractice claim would take into account the patient’s economic losses and non-economic losses, such as pain and suffering.
How do I get nursing malpractice insurance?
It’s easy to get free quotes for medical malpractice insurance with Insureon. We’ll ask you basic facts about your nursing degree, the type of care you provide, and help you find coverage that matches your unique risks and meets the requirements in your state. Contact our dedicated medical malpractice insurance specialist to get started.
“No matter how professional and attentive you are in providing care, you’re still at risk of an expensive malpractice claim and lawsuit,” said Denise Smith, Senior Sales Agent at Insureon. “I can help you find the coverage you need to meet your licensing requirements and keep you financially protected.”
