More often than not, medical professionals are highly advised to obtain medical malpractice insurance. Physicians, health experts, and even nurses should safeguard themselves from lawsuits. After all, it is not only the doctors who make mistakes in the course of performing their duties as medical personnel.
Medical professions hold the most complex and most uncertain job. It is in this regard that malpractice insurance must not be compromised. Some hospitals require their staff to have medical malpractice insurance. Most states also impose that all medical professionals should have this kind of protection.
Nurses and physicians work round the clock. They do not only work at hospitals and clinic. Their profession is being carried out even in their own homes and neighborhood. Their employers will only cover them if the malpractice occurred inside their workplace premises.
Many nurses and physicians are self-employed and because of this, they should definitely carry a professional insurance. Even nursing and medical students are advised to get medical malpractice insurance. Many medical schools require their students to obtain malpractice insurance since they will be deployed and exposed to clinical training experiences that involve getting in contact with patients. This gives them the risk of being sued should something go wrong during their training.
Here are some reasons why it is highly advisable that nurses and physicians carry their own malpractice insurance:
- Protection of property and financial standing. A lawsuit is not just stressful, it is also expensive. When a medical practitioner is sued, the insurance will cover some of the costs needed to file a legal response. And, if damages are awarded to the complainant, the insurance will pay up to the maximum limit.
- Protection against conflict of interest. If the medical practitioner is working in a hospital or clinic, there may be conflict of interest between him and the employer. A personal policy will alleviate these concerns regarding conflict of interest.
- Protection against non-coverage. The hospital's policy may not cover anything.
- Protection against employer lawsuits. The employer itself may file a claim against the personnel for malpractice.
- Protection against licensure cases. If the nursing or doctor's board will pursue the removal of a practitioner's license due to violations, the insurance can cover some of the costs.
