When I first started out in healthcare, honestly, I didn’t think much about lawsuits. I figured, “I’ll just do my job right, and nothing bad can happen.” Wrong. Patients can sue even when you didn’t actually do anything wrong. That’s the reality. And so I had to dig into this whole thing called Errors & Omissions insurance—E&O for short.
So, what exactly is this stuff?
Some folks call it professional liability, some say malpractice, I just call it my safety net. It’s a type of insurance that steps in when people claim you messed up. Could be a mistake in treatment, bad advice, or sometimes nothing but anger talking. If they sue, you need protection because trust me, courts are expensive.
Why we (health workers) can’t ignore it
I know we all try to be careful. Still, accidents creep in. Simple documentation slip. Wrong numbers in a chart. Misheard symptom. One little thing spirals.
And then there’s the other side—patients sue even when nothing was wrong at all. Maybe expectations were off, or family is upset and looking for someone to blame. Doesn’t matter, you still get pulled into the mess.
Defense lawyers don’t come cheap. Expert witnesses? Even worse. Without E&O I’d be financially toast, and honestly, my reputation could sink too. People don’t always remember the truth of the case, only that you “had a lawsuit once.”
What’s usually covered (at least in my policy)
I’ll give you the rundown:
Attorney fees – every hour they bill, insurance pays.
Settlements – when it’s smarter to settle than fight.
Court judgments – if a decision goes against you.
Negligence claims – even if you believe you weren’t negligent, insurance handles it.
Bad advice – say you gave treatment guidance and it didn’t work out, it’s covered.
It’s not perfect, but it covers the big scary stuff.
Few scenarios I’ve seen or heard about
One nurse in my network gave the wrong med dosage. Patient recovered but family sued anyway. E&O picked up the tab.
Another case, a therapist was blamed because a client didn’t improve. Totally unfair, but still dragged into court. Covered.
I know a chiropractor—adjusted a patient, the person got worse pain, lawsuit followed. He didn’t lose his house only because of coverage.
Nutritionists, pharmacists, psychologists—nobody’s safe.
But here’s what it doesn’t touch
Important part. Some people think it covers everything, nope.
If you do fraud or something criminal? Forget it.
Workplace accidents? Different insurance bucket.
Building damage, fire, stuff like that—property insurance.
Patient records hacked or stolen—needs cyber liability.
So don’t assume one policy makes you invincible.
Who needs this anyway? (Short answer: most of us)
Doctors, dentists, RNs, NPs, mental health pros, PTs, dietitians, chiropractors, pharmacists. If you touch patient care, you’re in the risk zone.
Sure, some employers provide malpractice coverage. I’ve had jobs where they did. The catch? Their insurance protects them first, not always you. Contractors, part-timers, or anyone in private practice really should own their own policy.
Let’s talk money—cost of premiums
I remember being shocked at first. Thought it’d be like car insurance pricing. Nope.
Cost depends on what you do. A brain surgeon in New York City? Sky high premiums. A dietitian in a small town? Lower. Your years of practice, claim history, even the state’s lawsuit culture—these all matter.
Generally, I’ve seen ranges between $800 and $10k a year. Wide gap, I know. But in my opinion, it’s still cheaper than even one lawsuit.
How I went about picking mine
My advice if you’re shopping:
Make sure it fits your specialty. A counselor doesn’t need the same limits as an OB-GYN.
Read exclusions. Some policies sneak in surprising gaps.
Shop around. First quote is rarely the best one.
Think about limits. If lawsuits in your field average millions, don’t buy the cheapest low limit.
Ask about tail coverage—this is huge. If you leave a job or retire, claims can pop up years later. Tail coverage means you’re still safe.
The takeaway from me
Healthcare is rewarding, no doubt. But it’s dangerous for your wallet. I’ve learned that even when you do your absolute best, somebody might drag you into court. It’s exhausting.
For me, having E&O insurance isn’t just financial—it’s peace of mind. I sleep better, I treat patients without second-guessing every move, and I know I’m not risking my career over one mistake or accusation.
So if you’re in health care, consider it. Actually, don’t just consider—go get it.
Looking for top-notch home insurance? InsureDirect has you covered. Getting a quote is fast and hassle-free—simply visit InsureDirect.com or reach out to our corporate office:
InsureDirect Corporate Office
618 South Broad Street, Lansdale, Pennsylvania 19446
📧 contact@insuredirect.com
📞 (800) 807-0762 ext. 602
Protect your home and enjoy peace of mind with the reliable coverage provided by InsureDirect. Your home deserves the best—don’t settle for less.