Nursing Malpractice Case and the Nursing Board

Did you know if you are named in a nursing malpractice case and a settlement is made on your behalf this information is reported to the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) and your State Board of Nursing will be notified? See http://www.npdb-hipdb.hrsa.gov/

This is a summary of email I received from a Nurse who was named as a defendant in a medical malpractice case, the case was settled, and now the nurse is being investigated by the Nursing Board.

I was named in the medical malpractice lawsuit. The case was settled and a report was filed with the NPDB. The Nursing Board has now contacted me to do their own investigation since the insurance carrier had to report my name to the NPDB. I am currently seeking counsel to represent me.

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This nurse had her own professional liability insurance policy with a national insurance company that provided her with her OWN legal counsel, distinct from the Hospital's legal counsel and the Surgeon's legal counsel, in the medical malpractice case. Her insurance company will also cover the costs associated with defending her license before the Nursing Board.

I don't think anyone goes to work and says "I am going to do something that gets me sued today" or "I am going to do something that gets me reported to the Nursing Board."  Consider purchasing your own individual professional liability insurance policy with a licensure defense benefit.

You have medical insurance?

You have dental insurance?

You have life insurance?

You have car insurance?

You have professional liability insurance? Its the same principle.