The Easy Guide to Professional Liability Insurance for Nursing Homes
Nursing homes have a unique set of circumstances
when it comes to professional liability insurance. Because they
are constantly taking care of the basic needs of others, there
is a high risk of lawsuits associated with this profession. Because
of these circumstances, special professional liability insurance
is required.
There are several areas of professional liability insurance coverage that a nursing
home needs. Protecting your building and property is one area. You need to be
able to ensure that your building is protected so that you can continue to care
for your patients even in the face of a lawsuit. You also need to protect your
financial health in the event of any settlements or judgments against you. Keep
in mind that it is not only your patients that could be injured, but any visitor
or employee who might injure themselves on your property who are a potential
liability.
Malpractice insurance is a type of professional liability insurance for nursing
homes. This insurance is specially designed to protect you in the event of an
injury or death resulting from an employee's actions or neglect. In addition
to the insurance carried by the nursing home to protect against this type of
claim, individual employees may wish to carry personal malpractice insurance
policies to cover any awards that exceed their employer's policy.
Though is is of the utmost importance to have professional liability insurance
for your nursing home, it is equally important to properly train your staff in
safety. The best way to protect your patients, your staff, and your property
is to avoid dangerous situations. Every nursing facility should have a safety
training course that all employees must attend. These types of classes should
be repeated periodically and be reinforced often.
Another area of safety should be evacuation plans and drills. Every staff member
should know what his or her role is in the event of a disaster. Too many lives
are dependent on the workers in a nursing home to be relaxed about this type
of safety measure. Having a plan that everyone is aware of and comfortable with
can help lessen the chances of a liability lawsuit should the unthinkable occur.
Getting professional liability insurance for your nursing home can be time consuming,
but it is extremely important. Choose a reputable insurance company who has a
good history in dealing with the specific issues of nursing homes. These types
of insurances are usually better done in person as the types and levels of coverage
can get lengthy.
Be prepared with the specifications of your
facility. Some facts to bring with you are things like, the size
of your building and property, the number of rooms, the type of
care offered (such as assisted living vs. full care), the number
of staff you employ, and others. Ask your agent for a list so that
you can be prepared for the meeting. The better prepared you are
the easier it will be to write your policy.
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