Professional indemnity vital for operators in care space

Following an accidental death within a care facility, the facility’s management and key personnel were summoned to attend a coronial investigation.

Typically, such investigations require the coroner to make findings in to a range of matters such as when, where and how death occurred; with recommended ways to prevent further deaths.

Accordingly the coroner examined the actions of the facility that could have reasonably been taken to avoid the death, their response to the discovery of the deceased; and an examination of the adequacy of staffing, use of equipment and knowledge.

The daunting task ahead was to assemble the relevant care and treatment plans along with records and evidence demonstrating the utility of such. In addition, the use of equipment and training, along with notifications of alerts, regular updates and reminder documentation provided for staff were also required for review by the coroner.

The legal costs to wait upon the formidable agglomerate task as well as prepare management and key personnel as part of their representative role at inquest, was exorbitant. 

The facility had in place a professional indemnity policy that lightened such costs.

Regretfully however, no amount of insurance cover can relieve the sorrow that attends such matters.

Workers compensation

An accounting firm which engages Warren Saunders Insurance Brokers to support their clients with workers compensation matters had a distressed client following receipt of their workers compensation renewal premium calculations which had an increase in premium in excess of $400,000.

The Warren Saunders specialist underwriting team had a short timeframe to work with to review and present a proposal to the insurer for consideration to reduce the premium.

Negotiations took place with the insurer following the lodgement of the proposal which resulted in the client saving in excess of $400,000 which was originally charged by the insurer.

Understanding the insurance premium order (IPO) in this case was the determining factor between a positive result and a negative result. An employer has more rights than they think when it comes to workers compensation matters however understanding what you can and can do is key to minimising workers compensation premium and costs.

This article has been provided by Warren Saunders Insurance Brokers, an associate sponsor of the National Retirement Living Summit 2016.