Liability Insurance Designed Specifically for Social Workers

Expert Insights

What is a deposition?

What is a deposition?

A deposition is part of the sworn testimony within the pre-trial discovery process of a lawsuit. It most often takes place in the lawyer’s office representing the plaintiff. As the despondent, your responses are documented verbatim for the court record as testimony evidence. Even pauses when an “um” of “ah” is breathed by the despondent are captured, which could raise doubt about honesty in the answer. 
Deposition Definition List of Deposition Best Practices Preparatory Sessions in Case of a Deposition
What’s in your bag?

What’s in your bag?

Social workers tend to carry a lot in their bags. In this blog post Ignacio Pacheco, a clinical social worker from California, shared what he packs in his bag daily.

Social Work Gadgets Technology savvy social workers Tools for social workers what does a social worker carry in her/his bag every day?
State Licensing Board Complaint Response

Top Helpline Question: What to do when you receive a State Licensing Board Complaint?

You got a letter from the Licensing Board in your state. Now, what? You certainly can answer the complaint on your own, but that is not advisable. You may inadvertently get yourself into more trouble by stating something you did not intend to say or that is interpreted incorrectly. If you are an NASW RRG policyholder, you should contact the NASW RRG Helpline immediately and ask for an Incident Report Form and send the Board letter with the form as directed by the NASW RRG which shall assign a licensed attorney in your state for your defense. 
Contact the NASW RRG Helpline Get Legal Counsel Before Responding State Licensing Board Complaint
Records Release Notice

Top Helpline Question: What to do when you receive a records release notice from your client's attorney?

You got a release for records from your client’s attorney. Now, what should you do?

It is worth a phone call to the client to make sure that they understand if you release their records then all of their information is going to be available. You do have the option to prepare a high-level summary of your care and treatment (date treatment started, how often, general topics of discussion during sessions) and include your intake form if you want, but be prepared for the attorney to come back and say that is not enough information and they want the entire client file. If your client agrees, then release the records.

Confirm With Client Records Release Notice Session Records Release
What to do when your client is deceased?

Top Helpline Question: What to do when your client is deceased?

Your client committed suicide. Can you go to the funeral? If you believe that there will be hard feelings from the family because they believe that you failed to prevent the client from suicide, it may disturb them during their grieving process if they see you at the funeral. Perhaps an informal telephone call to one or more of the client’s family members well before the funeral to assess prospective action will provide you with signals and clarification for prospective action.
Client Committed Suicide Client Passed Away Unexpectedly
Top Helpline Question: What to do if you receive a subpoena?

Top Helpline Question: What to do if you receive a subpoena?

Frequently Asked Questions Relating to Subpoenas: If a judge doesn’t sign the subpoena, it’s not valid, right? So, I don’t have to show up to court? Wrong. Subpoenas are rarely signed by a judge, usually, they are signed by the Clerk of Court, or by the attorney as an officer of the court. If you do not appear as direc...
NASW RRR Helpline Responses to Frequently Asked Questions Subpoena for Social Workers What to Bring to Court?
Does Your Employer Cover YOU?

Does Your Employer Cover YOU?

The social worker cannot assume that her/his employer will assume liability and that the employer’s liability insurance will extend to the social worker employee. The employer‘s priority is to the employer, as is the employer’s liability insurance policy. That is why it is imperative for you, the social worker, to assess all of the risks and perils, and then buy your own professional liability insurance. When you do the risk analysis of your practice activities, you may learn that you also need General Liability and/or Cyber Liability insurance coverage as well as Professional Liability coverage.
Get Your Own Professional Liability Insurance Professional Liability Coverage Protect Yourself
Did you know? 3 social work practitioners out of 100 will sustain a claim against them.

Did you know? 3 Social Work Practitioners out of 100 Will Sustain a Claim Against Them.

Our insurance products are supported by a staff of over 375-panel lawyers across the nation who are experienced in defending healthcare related incidents, claims, and lawsuits. We have a robust Helpline for NASW Risk Retention Group policyholders that provides immediate assistance. 
A.M. Best “Excellent” insurance rating Claims Adjudication Resources NASW Risk Retention Group
Did you know? Many Social Work Practitioners are Unaware of HIPAA Risks.

Did you know? Many Social Work Practitioners are Unaware of HIPAA Risks.

Many social workers are unaware that there is a distinct insurance risk difference between a social worker causing a client records breach, and a third party causing a client records breach. HIPAA holds the social worker responsible for both events and penalizes the social worker for both events.
Client Records Breach Exclusions in Coverage HIPAA Third Party Information Records Breach
Owning and Protecting Your Social Work Private Practice

Owning and Protecting Your Social Work Private Practice

Even the best trained social workers, who have followed professional standards, can be sued for malpractice when someone is unhappy with an outcome, justified or not.  A simple error or omission by an employee could make you and your practice vulnerable.
Complying with state licensing laws Lawsuits Licensing board complaints Social Work Private Practice
Understanding Waivers in a Professional Liability Policy

Understanding Waivers in a Professional Liability Policy

A waiver is a voluntary surrender of a right or privilege that exists. An implied example in a professional liability insurance policy by virtue ...
Insurance terms Professional Liability Understanding Your Insurance Policy Contract Waivers
What is Vicarious Liability?

What is Vicarious Liability?

 Vicarious liability is an insurance term that means a shift in responsibility from one to another based on an existing relationship. Vicarious ...
Avoiding Malpractice Help Social Workers to Manage Risk Insurance terms Vicarious Liability What to look for in a professional liability policy