SOCIAL WORK LIABILITY INSURANCE



Social work liability insurance is an important insurance necessity for those who spend their professional lives in a career as a social worker. This insurance generally falls under the overall umbrella of professional liability insurance (also sometimes referred to as errors and omissions insurance (E & O). It can also be described as a form of malpractice insurance, and as that suggests, protects customers against potential claims of negligence (or malpractice) that could be leveled by unsatisfied clients. Precisely what constitutes negligence is something of a legal minefield, which is why professional liability insurance policies were created for professionals such as lawyers, doctors, CPA's, engineers and architects, but has since expanded in scope to cover a range of other professions which have found themselves the target of law suits, including business managers, consultants, public relations people - and social workers.



Someone who works as a social worker likely considers themselves to be a people person, and probably likes to think the best of others, but the world today is an increasingly litigious one, and the chances of getting sued because of actions carried out in a professional capacity are higher than they have ever been. If this did happen, and strong professional liability insurance was not in place, such a law suit could not only jeopardize your career, it could place your personal finances and your family's security in serious danger. Because of this, professional liability insurance is something that no one, least of all people who perform in such a volatile and often contentious profession as social work can be, can afford to be without. Of course, many employers provide insurance coverage for their workers, but you should not assume that said coverage will protect you from a liability law suit.