By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law
Time and time again, I am contacted by mental health counselors, social workers, and other therapists who have worked hard for years, have paid tens of thousands of dollars for tuition, fees, books, and board, and made sacrifices in order to obtain a professional degree and a professional license. Yet they have not purchased professional insurance to protect their licenses.
Your professional license is arguably your most valuable asset. Yet, I am continuously surprised to learn the number of health professionals who come to our firm in serious trouble because a complaint has been filed against them. Complaints can come from anyone, including an unhappy patient, patient’s family, former employer, vengeful co-worker, or disgruntled former spouse, boyfriend, girlfriend, etc. Often the issues are complex. The legal procedures surrounding administrative complaints and administrative hearings are certainly complicated and confusing. Hiring an experience attorney is your best line of defense. However, it can also be costly.
Hypothetical Situation to Consider.
Here is a hypothetical situation to consider: You want to buy a particular item that is extremely expensive, such as a large piece of manufacturing equipment or a luxury stretch limousine. This item could not only produce an income for you for years to come, but it may also add to your prestige and self-esteem, knowing that you have achieved something that few others ever do.
Would you insure your expensive item? I certainly would and I expect you would, too.
Why You Need Professional Liability Insurance.
When I am writing this, I am speaking of insurance to cover your legal defense expenses in case a complaint is filed against you that could jeopardize your professional therapist license.
In my experience, health professionals such as mental health counselors, social workers, and other psychotherapists are more likely to have a complaint filed against them that results in an investigation. That is why I say that you should purchase professional liability insurance because of the professional licensure defense coverage it provides; not because it pays in the event of a lawsuit.
Furthermore, given that most popular liability insurance, such as Healthcare Providers Service Organization (HPSO) Insurance, CPH & Associates Insurance, Chicago Insurance, Affinity Insurance, is cheap, it is foolish not to be insured.
You have an extremely valuable asset that could easily produce a million dollars in income during your lifetime. Don’t you think a few hundred dollars a year is worth paying to help protect it? That is why I say, “Buy professional liability insurance. Buy it now! Be sure you are covered for at least $25,000 in professional license defense expense coverage and preferably more, if you can get it. But buy it!”
Comments?
Have you dragged your feet in purchasing professional liability insurance? If so, why? Did reading this blog change your mind? Please leave any thoughtful comments below.
Contact A Lawyer Experienced in the Representation of Psychiatrists, Mental Health Counselors, Social Workers, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists and Other Mental Health Professionals.
We routinely provide deposition coverage to psychiatrists, mental health counselors, social workers, licensed marriage and family therapists and other mental health professionals being deposed in criminal cases, negligence cases, civil cases or disciplinary cases involving other health professionals. The lawyers of The Health Law Firm are experienced in both formal and informal administrative hearings and in representing psychiatrists, mental health counselors, social workers, licensed marriage and family therapists and other mental health professionals in investigations at the Board of Medicine, Board of Psychology, or the Board of Clinical Social, Marriage and Family, and Mental Health Counseling.
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About the Author: George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law. He is the President and Managing Partner of The Health Law Firm, which has a national practice. Its main office is in the Orlando, Florida, area. www.TheHealthLawFirm.com The Health Law Firm, 1101 Douglas Ave., Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, Phone: (407) 331-6620.
“The Health Law Firm” is a registered fictitious business name of George F. Indest III, P.A. – The Health Law Firm, a Florida professional service corporation, since 1999.
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