© 2007 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Chapter 3: Legal Liability and Insurance

© 2007 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Define the following from Chapter 3 Make 4 columns Word -- Book Def. -- Def. in own words -- Example Liability Negligence Standard of reasonable care Duty of care Torts Nonfeasance/Act of Omission Malfeasance/Act of Commission Misfeasance Good Samaritan Law Statute of limitation Assumption of risk

© 2007 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Legal Concerns Negligence suits involving coaches, athletic trainers, school officials and physicians have increased in frequency and in the amount of damages awarded Liability –Being legally responsible for the harm one causes another person –Must be certain you are aware of all rules and regulations of being a healthcare provider

© 2007 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Standard of Reasonable Care Assumes the healthcare provider is a person of ordinary and reasonable prudence Will use common sense and do what most other healthcare providers of the same level would do Must not do more or less that what he/she has been trained to do Duty of Care When an individual has a responsibility to care for an injured person Taking care of injuries is part of the job

© 2007 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Torts Legal wrongs committed against a person Can be caused by: –Nonfeasance /Act of Omission –fail to perform legal duty, i.e. fail to refer athlete to MD –Malfeasance /Act of Commission –perform action that is not his/hers to legally perform, i.e. perform advanced treatment leading to complications –Misfeasance –Perform an action that is allowed, but do it wrong With a partner come up with 3 examples of each

© 2007 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Negligence The failure to use ordinary or reasonable care Care giver does something a reasonably prudent individual would not. Care giver fails to do something a reasonably prudent individual would not. Athletic trainer has a duty or obligation to provide coverage to athletes

© 2007 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Person making complaint must show 3 things to establish negligence 1.That a duty of care existed between the person injured and the healthcare provider 2.Conduct of the healthcare provider fell short of that duty of care and the standard of reasonable care 3.The conduct directly caused the injury or damages

© 2007 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. People with a higher level of training will possess a higher level of competence or ability Once an individual assumes the duty of caring for an athlete that person has an obligation to provide appropriate care Provides limited legal protection for the care giver should something go wrong Good Samaritan Law

© 2007 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Statutes of Limitation Specific length of time an individual can sue for injury resulting from negligence. Generally ranges from 1 to 3 years Clock begins at the time the negligent act results in suit or from the time injury is discovered following negligent act Minors generally have an extension

© 2007 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Assumption of Risk Athlete is made aware of inherent risks involved in sport and voluntarily decides to continue participating Expressed in written waiver or implied from conduct of athlete once participation begins Can be used as defense against an athlete’s negligence suit – but doesn’t not prevent an athlete from filing a suit

© 2007 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Product Liability Liability of any or all parties involved in a manufactured product for damages caused by product –Includes manufacturer, assemblers, wholesaler, and retail store owner Products with inherent defects are subject to liability suits

© 2007 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Manufacturer of equipment has duty to design and produce equipment that will not cause injury Express warranty –Manufacturer’s written guarantee – product safety Equipment warning labels –Informs athlete of possible dangers inherent with product use

© 2007 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE) Organization that sets minimum safety standards for equipment It does not work for the manufacturer Not all equipment gets the NOCSAE stamp of approval

© 2007 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Insurance Cost of insurance has increased Huge increase in number of lawsuits Medical insurance is a contract between the company and policyholder Company agrees to pay portion of medical bills following payment of a deductible Insurance you have through your parents or you job is your primary insurance School athletic insurance is usually secondary

© 2007 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. General Health Insurance Primary policy covers illnesses, hospitalization and emergency care Sometimes offered through the school for athletes –Wake Co. offers limited secondary coverage Secondary insurance – –additional coverage that pays all or part of what primary insurance doesn’t pay for Schools and universities must ensure that athletes have primary insurance coverage

© 2007 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Reimbursement Primary payment for medical care in the US Insurance company reimburses the health care providers for services rendered to the patient

© 2007 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) Provide preventive measures and basic regular care Must go to a specific doctor – on approved list HMO will usually pay 100% if you go to approved doctor HMO may not pay anything if go to someone else Why must ATs know the limits and restrictions of an HMO? – discuss with neighbor

© 2007 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Accident Insurance Low cost plan for students that covers accidents on school property –Wake Co. $10 for At School coverage for all year Helps pay for medical cost instead of student paying all out of pocket Provides for additional protection for institution above regular policy Will cover costs associated with hospital care, surgery, and catastrophic injuries

© 2007 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Insurance to Protect the Professional Protect against damages that may arise from injuries occurring on school property Liability insurance –covers against claims of negligence Must be protected especially because of the increase in lawsuits Will cover negligence in civil case – not criminal complaint

© 2007 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Catastrophic Insurance Catastrophic injuries include: –death, brain damage, other life long conditions Organizations provide additional coverage to deal with lifetime extensive care –NCAA: National Collegiate Athletic Association –NAIA: Nat. Assoc. of Intercollegiate Athletics –NFSHSA: Nat. Federation of State High School Assoc.

© 2007 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Insurance Billing Must file claims immediately and correctly Get athlete insurance information at beginning of year Letters should be sent home to explain the coverage available and necessary procedures