I posted on this subject earlier this week that all professional liability insurance policies are not made equal. Well guess what?
I spoke with a nurse this week who just received notice a complaint was filed against her license with the Board of Nursing. She has professional liability insurance with an insurance company that writes a large number of policies for nurses.
She was told by the insurer that the policy only cover attorney fees and costs for a licensure defense HEARING! It does not cover attorney fees and costs during the investigative phase. What a JOKE!
Depending on the particular State Board of Nursing and the Nurse Practice Act and Board of Nursing Regulations, cases are investigated and adjudicated differently. A case may not proceed to a hearing but this doesn't mean the nurse should not be afforded with attorney representation.
Nurses, READ your professional liability insurance policy. If you don't understand the language and conditions in the policy, consider setting up a legal consultation with a licensure defense attorney in State so that you know UP FRONT the limitations, terms, and conditions in your policy in the event you are named as defendant in a malpractice case or if the event a complaint is filed against your license with a regulatory board.
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