You Need Incidental Medical Malpractice Coverage
Incidental medical malpractice insurance is designed to cover organizations outside the health care industry that have a medical exposure for operations that are not the major function of their organization. If you employ a school nurse, athletic trainer or other first aid provider, then you have a serious exposure for any injuries caused by medical care, or lack thereof. Educational facilities are especially at risk for this type of exposure because they deal with young, active students on a daily basis that have a variety of medical needs. Incidental medical malpractice coverage can protect your facility from this exposure.
Evolution of This Coverage
Originally, incidental medical malpractice coverage had to be inferred by exception to medical professional liability exclusionary endorsements. This was largely eliminated when incidental medical malpractice insurance was first introduced to standard general liability policies in 1976.
Its purpose is to protect those offering medical services by an entity not engaged primarily in the offering of such services, such as educational facilities.
About Incidental Medical Malpractice Coverage
Typically, incidental malpractice liability coverage comes with your standard general liability policy instead of as separate policy coverage. However, it is important that you read and understand what is covered and excluded in your particular policy, as they can vary by state and insurer.
The coverage is included within the “Who Is An Insured” section of the policy. This means that by exception, the coverage applies to the vicarious liability of the employer unless a professional liability endorsement is attached. This endorsement would have to preclude the vicarious liability of an employed professional.