
Medical malpractice insurance is a type of professional liability insurance that covers healthcare professionals against claims of injury and medical negligence. It also protects them from the cost of defending lawsuits related to such claims. A medical malpractice insurance policy covers bodily injury or property damage, as well as liability for personal injury such as mental anguish.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Liability | Bodily injury |
Liability | Medical expenses |
Liability | Property damage |
Liability | Personal injury |
Liability | Mental anguish |
Damages | Attorneys’ fees |
Damages | Court costs |
Damages | Arbitration costs |
Damages | Settlement costs |
Damages | Punitive and compensatory damages |
Damages | Medical damages |
Not covered | Sexual misconduct |
Not covered | Criminal acts |
Not covered | Inappropriate alteration of medical records |
What You'll Learn
Professional negligence
Medical malpractice insurance is a type of professional liability insurance that covers healthcare professionals against claims of injury and medical negligence. It is also known as medical professional liability insurance and medical liability insurance.
Medical malpractice insurance policies are often carried by physicians, dentists, nurses, physical therapists, and other medical professionals as a way to be protected from certain liability claims and damages. It also protects lawyers if a case goes to court.
The majority of American doctors face at least one medical malpractice lawsuit in the course of their career. Carrying this type of insurance is essential for physicians—and is required by law in most states. Other medical professionals who should consider this type of coverage include dentists, psychologists, pharmacists, optometrists, nurses and physical therapists, among others.
Depending on the location and nature of a medical practice, medical malpractice insurance can take several forms, including:
An individual or group policy purchased from a traditional private insurer.
Medical malpractice insurance covers a range of expenses associated with defending and settling malpractice suits; it also pays damages if you’re found liable. Covered costs include:
- Attorneys’ fees and court costs.
- Arbitration costs.
- Settlement costs.
- Punitive and compensatory damages.
- Medical damages.
Medical malpractice does not cover liability that arises from sexual misconduct, criminal acts, and inappropriate alteration of medical records. When weighing medical malpractice insurance options, it’s important to recognize that a claim may be filed years after the disputed treatment took place. There are two types of policies you can obtain:
A “claims-made” policy will only provide coverage if the policy is in effect both when the treatment took place and when a lawsuit is filed.
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Injury and medical negligence
Medical malpractice insurance is a type of professional liability insurance that covers healthcare professionals against claims of injury and medical negligence. Physicians, nurses, physical therapists, and other medical professionals often carry this type of insurance as a way to be protected from certain liability claims and damages.
The majority of American doctors face at least one medical malpractice lawsuit in the course of their career. Carrying this type of insurance is essential for physicians and is required by law in most states. Other medical professionals who should consider this type of coverage include dentists, psychologists, pharmacists, optometrists, nurses, and physical therapists, among others.
Medical malpractice insurance covers a range of expenses associated with defending and settling malpractice suits; it also pays damages if you’re found liable. Covered costs include:
- Attorneys’ fees and court costs
- Arbitration costs
- Settlement costs
- Punitive and compensatory damages
- Medical damages
Medical malpractice does not cover liability that arises from sexual misconduct, criminal acts, and inappropriate alteration of medical records. When weighing medical malpractice insurance options, it’s important to recognize that a claim may be filed years after the disputed treatment took place.
There are two types of policies you can obtain:
A “claims-made” policy will only provide coverage if the policy is in effect both when the treatment took place and when a lawsuit is filed.
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Damages and settlement costs
Medical malpractice insurance is a type of professional liability insurance that covers healthcare professionals against claims of injury and medical negligence. It also protects them from the cost of defending lawsuits related to such claims.
Medical malpractice insurance policies are often carried by physicians, dentists, nurses, physical therapists, and other medical professionals as a way to be protected from certain liability claims and damages.
The majority of American doctors face at least one medical malpractice lawsuit in the course of their career. Carrying this type of insurance is essential for physicians—and is required by law in most states.
Medical malpractice insurance covers a range of expenses associated with defending and settling malpractice suits; it also pays damages if you’re found liable. Covered costs include:
- Attorneys’ fees and court costs
- Arbitration costs
- Settlement costs
- Punitive and compensatory damages
- Medical damages
Medical malpractice does not cover liability that arises from sexual misconduct, criminal acts, and inappropriate alteration of medical records.
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Defending malpractice suits
Medical malpractice insurance is a type of professional liability insurance that covers healthcare professionals against claims of injury and medical negligence. Physicians, dentists, nurses, psychologists, pharmacists, optometrists, and physical therapists are among those who carry this type of insurance. It is essential for physicians and is required by law in most states.
Medical malpractice insurance covers a range of expenses associated with defending and settling malpractice suits; it also pays damages if you’re found liable. Covered costs include:
- Attorneys’ fees and court costs
- Arbitration costs
- Settlement costs
- Punitive and compensatory damages
- Medical damages
Medical malpractice does not cover liability that arises from sexual misconduct, criminal acts, and inappropriate alteration of medical records.
When weighing medical malpractice insurance options, it’s important to recognize that a claim may be filed years after the disputed treatment took place. There are two types of policies you can obtain:
A “claims-made” policy will only provide coverage if the policy is in effect both when the treatment took place and when a lawsuit is filed.
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Liability for personal injury
Medical malpractice insurance is a type of professional liability insurance that covers healthcare professionals against claims of injury and medical negligence. It is also known as medical professional liability insurance and medical liability insurance.
Physicians, dentists, nurses, psychologists, pharmacists, optometrists, physical therapists, and other medical professionals can purchase this insurance to protect themselves from certain liability claims and damages. It is essential for physicians and is required by law in most states.
The insurance covers liability for personal injury such as mental anguish. It also covers liability for wrongful practices that result in bodily injury, medical expenses, and property damage. It also protects them from the cost of defending lawsuits related to such claims.
Medical malpractice insurance does not cover liability that arises from sexual misconduct, criminal acts, and inappropriate alteration of medical records.
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Frequently asked questions
Medical malpractice insurance covers a range of expenses associated with defending and settling malpractice suits; it also pays damages if you’re found liable. Covered costs include: attorneys’ fees and court costs, arbitration costs, settlement costs, punitive and compensatory damages, medical damages, and liability for personal injury such as mental anguish.
Medical malpractice does not cover liability that arises from sexual misconduct, criminal acts, and inappropriate alteration of medical records.
Physicians, dentists, psychologists, pharmacists, optometrists, nurses, and physical therapists are some of the medical professionals who should consider this type of coverage.
Most states require medical malpractice insurance as it is essential for physicians and protects them from certain liability claims and damages.
There are two types of policies you can obtain: A “claims-made” policy will only provide coverage if the policy is in effect both when the treatment took place and when a lawsuit is filed.