Social Work Malpractice Insurance

If you work as a social worker, medical malpractice coverage insures you against claims of negligence or of making a mistake that caused bodily harm to another. This includes providing you with a lawyer to defend yourself and the funds you can use to pay judgments or settlements.

AMOUNT COVERED:
Typical limits of liability range from $500,000 per claim/$1 million aggregate to $2 million per claim/$6 million aggregate

If a claim is filed against you, we’ll retain a lawyer for you from our network of defense attorneys specializing in medical malpractice. We’ll also pay for related defense costs (e.g., lawyer fees, court fees, expert witness costs).

Note that these defense costs are outside the limits of your insurance. This means that their services don’t cut into the settlement fees you may need to pay after a ruling.

AMOUNT COVERED:
Provided in addition to your policy’s limits of insurance

We work with your defense attorney to reach the best possible outcome for you. We won’t settle a claim without your approval.

Your policy applies on a worldwide basis, as long as a claim is brought against you in the United States (which includes any U.S. territories or possessions).

If you provide professional care to someone who is not your patient in a first aid or emergency situation, and that person files a claim against you, your policy would still apply.

If a claim alleges that you violated privacy rules in connection with private health information, we provide you with access to counsel and will reimburse you for costs related to HIPAA proceedings — including relevant HIPAA fines.

AMOUNT COVERED:
$25,000 per policy period

If the professional licensing authority is investigating matters related to your professional conduct, our policy provides you with legal defense.

AMOUNT COVERED:
$25,000 limit per policy period

If we ask you to attend litigation activities (e.g., a deposition), our policy will reimburse you for actual lost wages and any necessary expenses you incur (e.g., travel, meals).

AMOUNT COVERED:
Up to $1,000 per day

If you face a threat to your professional reputation, we can provide you with a crisis management/public relations consultant to help clear your name.

AMOUNT COVERED:
$50,000 per claim

The policy applies if someone files a claim against you alleging that your premises or operations caused them bodily injury or harm.

AMOUNT COVERED:
$1 million occurrence/$1 million aggregate

If you’re audited by either Medicare or Medicaid, we offer reimbursement for related accountant or attorney costs that result from the investigation or defense of the audit proceedings.

AMOUNT COVERED:
$30,000 for a covered audit and related expenses

Medical malpractice insurance for social workers is a type of professional liability insurance that helps protect social workers from claims that they caused a patient harm by allegedly deviating from the standard of care. Malpractice insurance can help provide you with legal defense, as well as financial protection: if you’re found liable for damages and other costs, your insurance policy can help cover the costs.

The financial toll of defending or settling a malpractice claim can be substantial. Social worker malpractice insurance helps minimize the disruptions and out-of-pocket costs that come with such claims, while supporting you through every step of the claims process. Having the right coverage can give you the peace of mind and confidence you need to stay focused on what matters: caring for your patients.

Yes, social workers can be sued for malpractice. Examples of situations or allegations that may lead to malpractice claims against social workers include:

• Improper supervision of clients.
• Failure to intervene when a client is harmed.
• Improper relationships with clients.
• Breach of confidentiality.
• Neglecting to inform potential victims of a foreseeable danger of violence.

The frequency with which social workers are sued has grown over the past few decades. Data from the National Practitioner Data Bank show an increase in the number of adverse action reports made against social workers since 1990. That year, only 2 reports were made; compare that to 2023, in which 743 were made.

In a word: yes, social workers should have malpractice insurance. No matter how careful you are, there is always the risk you could be sued for malpractice — regardless of whether your work fell below the standard of care. And even if you’re ultimately found not liable, the lawsuit itself – including your legal defense – will cost you money and time.

That’s why malpractice insurance (also known as professional liability insurance) is essential for social workers, even when you feel confident that you’re following all legal and ethical requirements for your social work services. In the event of a malpractice lawsuit, your insurance can help cover legal fees and settlement costs, as well as other expenses. In addition, many states and employers require social workers to carry medical malpractice insurance.

Even if you’re covered by your employer’s insurance policy, you can still benefit from having your own insurance (also known as “supplemental” coverage). This supplemental policy can give you a larger pool of money to pay for legal representation and settlement costs, while also giving you more control over your own defense. Plus, there are a number of instances in which your employer’s policy might not cover you, such as HIPAA violations, licensing board complaints, and more.

Finally, even if you’re not named in a malpractice lawsuit, your professional liability insurance policy can help provide valuable protection in several other situations you could potentially face as a social worker. For example, you could be subpoenaed as a witness to provide testimony in custody battles, criminal matters, or workers’ compensation cases. With the right malpractice coverage, your insurance policy can help you secure legal assistance in situations like these.

There are a couple of ways to purchase insurance. You can buy through a broker or agent, but the easiest way to buy a malpractice policy is directly from a provider – which also has the added benefit of cutting out broker fees and saving you money. With Berxi’s easy-to-use online platform, you can get a quote and buy your policy online in just a few clicks.

Not all malpractice insurance providers are created equal. When choosing a provider and policy for your social worker malpractice policy, you should consider whether it has:

• Flexible options for the limits of liability
• HIPAA violations defense
• Licensing board protection defense
• Coverage for wage losses and deposition expenses
• Legal defense costs paid outside the limits of liability
• No deductible
• Convenient payment plans and options
• Availability of both occurrence and claims-made coverage
• Expert claims professionals who specialize in social work claims
• Consent to settle
• Online access to manage your policy
• Optional coverage add-ons, including general liability coverage
• Financial strength ratings that prove its ability to pay future claims (A++ ratings are ideal)
• Easy-to-reach, knowledgeable customer support
• Educational materials
• Excellent customer testimonials
• Discounts for taking risk management courses

Berxi offers all of the above, and more. We know social worker insurance, and our policies are customized just for you, with top-rated protection and extensive coverage options and benefits. Plus, we work hard to make insurance easier – easier to understand, easier to buy, and easier to afford. Get a quote in minutes and see how social worker malpractice insurance from Berxi can benefit you.

Professional liability insurance for social workers – also known as medical malpractice insurance – typically starts at an average of $101 per year for a supplemental policy and $242 per year for a primary policy. These figures are based on policies with limits of liability of $1 million per claim and $3 million aggregate. However, the price depends on a number of factors, including — but not limited to — how much coverage you want and where you practice, as well as your years of experience, education, and time spent on the job.

The best way to get an idea of what your policy would cost is by getting a quote. The process takes a couple minutes, and — if you choose to purchase — your policy can go into effect any day you’d like, including today.

Licensed clinical social workers (LCSW) should look for a provider and policy that is customized to their needs and protects them against the unique risks they face as social workers. At Berxi, we provide comprehensive coverage that you can trust to have your back when you need us.

At its most basic, social work malpractice insurance can help cover your legal defense and settlement costs in the event that you’re sued for malpractice. From there, coverage can vary based on the provider and policy you choose.

At Berxi, our malpractice insurance offers additional coverages and comprehensive protections for social workers. Features of our social worker malpractice policies include:

• Licensing board protection defense
• HIPAA violation defense
• Wage loss and deposition expenses
• Reputation coverage
• Consent to settle (meaning we don’t settle a claim with your approval)