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2. What you need to know:

About Medical Incidents...

Spotting and reporting incidents is the essential first step in the professional liability claims process. But how do you know when you've experienced an incident? Many Medical Incidents are obvious. In other cases however, you may wonder whether it is necessary to report the event to your insurer. This information should answer some basic questions about incidents and provide guidelines on identifying and reporting them.

Medical Incidents are any error or omission in professional services that you think may lead to a claim. Incidents also include any event indicating that a patient may be considering filing a claim relating to your professional services, even when you cannot find an error in your treatment.

Incidents are specific events. Clinical concerns such as adverse treatment results and medication errors would be considered incidents. Incidents also include signs of patient displeasure, such as a letter of complaint, a heated disagreement, or repeated failure to keep appointments without adequate explanation

Here's how your policy defines a claim...

"A claim means a demand for money or services. Claim also means filing of a suit or the starting of arbitration proceedings naming you and alleging injury or damage."

That means a claim could be any one of the following:

• A summons or complaint alleging an act or omission in the rendering of professional services.
• A letter, or any other document, or demand for services or money from you because of acts or omissions arising from professional services you provide.
• An oral threat or complaint indicating that a party is holding you responsible for damages arising from professional services rendered.
• Notice of arbitration filed against you for damages alleged from your professional services.