Public liability insurance provides protection to the policy holder for claims made against them or their business, as a result of their negligence, for any property damage or personal injury to the claimant.
- I am a contracting doctor – do I need public liability insurance?
- I engage contracted doctors to work in my practice – do they need public liability?
Public liability insurance provides protection to the policy holder for claims made against them or their business, as a result of their negligence, for any property damage or personal injury to the claimant.
This is separate but equally important as medical indemnity insurance, which protects the individual doctor or practice entity for losses arising out of the professional advice or service they provide.
Imagine a patient trips over a bag in reception at your clinic. This is an example where public liability would provide protection. If the bag belongs to a staff member the practice entity should have a public liability in place to protect them against any damages awarded against them. But if the bag belonged to a contractor, action may be brought against that individual or the business they have set up as a contractor.
In today’s legal climate, regardless of who is at fault, a lawyer may choose to name multiple parties in any action including the business and contractor. As such, it is a sound risk management practice to ensure you have a public liability policy in place whether you are medical business or an individual doctor that acts as a contractor.
Questions? Please contact iMed Insurance for an obligation free discussion.
