Malpractice insurance?

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ITBITB13

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Hello, I decided to bring something up that I haven't seen in a while.

I work as a privately contracted emt, for a company that works various events. I'm usually stuck in a first aid station, or walking around an event with my trauma bag and a security radio. I also work ift. I was talking with my partner, and he made me realize, that since I'm just a private contractor, that if any legal matters came up with a patient while working an event, that the company would just cut me off, and I would be on my own, and he suggested that I invest in some sort of malpractice insurance. Anybody here have, or know anything about malpractice insurance for ems providers?
 
Most EMS folks get their coverage through this company.

http://www.hpso.com

I think getting a policy that is separate from your employers is a good idea. The policies are not very expensive. Remember your employers policy is there to protect your employer first.

It's important to remember that while these policies are often called malpractice insurance they actually cover things like sexual misconduct claims against EMS providers (something that has been in the news a lot lately). Depending on the state you're in they may even pay out in the event of an on the job assault against you.

You might have providers tell you that having insurance makes you a more likely target. Remember nobody will know you have the insurance until after you've been sued. When lawsuits are filed they tend to be filed with a shot gun approach and that means the lawyer will file against everyone who touched that patient.
 
Thanks! Before I give them a call, I thought I'd ask here to see if any of you guys have an answer. I work for an IFT company, (hopefully I get into the 911 service I just interviewed with..) but I also work as an independently contracted emt. The insurance site only gives you the option to choose one of the two. Should I just choose "independent contractor", since that's what I technically want the coverage for? My concern is whether it would it cover me while I work for my company as well. Or would I need to purchase a second Policy so I can be covered while I work for my ambulance company?
 
Ivan_13 said:
Thanks! Before I give them a call, I thought I'd ask here to see if any of you guys have an answer. I work for an IFT company, (hopefully I get into the 911 service I just interviewed with..) but I also work as an independently contracted emt. The insurance site only gives you the option to choose one of the two. Should I just choose "independent contractor", since that's what I technically want the coverage for? My concern is whether it would it cover me while I work for my company as well. Or would I need to purchase a second Policy so I can be covered while I work for my ambulance company?
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I would give the company a call and ask them... they generally only ask about wherever you work more hours.

HPSO Customer service is overall excellent, worth giving a call..
 
Do most EMTs have their own personal insurance? And perhaps as a volunteer EMT, should I get coverage?
 
Where I work/live it is a requirement for licensure to have malpractice insurance. We are also considered medics 24/7 with full scope.
 
I have HPSO and my policy is under 100 a year. Full time or part time is the same rate but if you as a contractor get a 1099 from them then that will be a factor and may increase premiums.
 
I also get my insurance from the company above. They are excellent about helping with any questions you may have if you just give them a call or shoot them an email. It's very affordable and really nice to have on your side. Give them a call and ask if you could get both jobs covered under one policy or what you need to do to get covered.
 
I've actually never thought about having insurance for this. I'm pretty sure my company has some kind of insurance (because of how big they are) but I honestly don't know.
 
firefite said:
I've actually never thought about having insurance for this. I'm pretty sure my company has some kind of insurance (because of how big they are) but I honestly don't know.
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Typically if someone's getting sued, it's the company. There is more money to be made if you sue the company than the minimum wage gurney jockey who "messed up". As such, if you broke company policy, then the company may end up throwing you to the wolves. In that case, personal insurance may not be a bad idea, especially if you run for a private company with stupid policies about every little thing.

I know of some companies that look for any little reason to disown their employee when it comes to litigation.

If you're working as a contractor or even volunteer, personal insurance is REALLY not a bad idea at all.

Also consider about how litigious your state is. (NY, CA, FL are among the worst!)
 
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You can have any empty disciplinary file today. The company gets sued tomorrow for a call you were a part of. By the time all records including your file is requested for the proceedings your folder will look like you were the worst employee of all time and were on the verge of being terminated just prior to the call that occurred.

Not conspiracy theory, just the sad truth of life.
 
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