A man has sued Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) and 3 of its doctors over misdiagnosis and negligence for its handling of his mum, Tan Yaw Lan, while she was warded in the hospital. He is seeking $800,000 in damages for the alleged negligence.
It was alleged that the doctors prescribed inappropriate treatment methods and failed to inform Mdm Tan before changing her prevailing prescription for her pre-existing conditions. Nurses were also informed by Mdm Tan’s daughter not to shower her as she was prone to falls. However, the instructions were not conveyed to the relevant medical staff and a trainee nurse, who was undergoing a 2 week attachment, took Mdm Tan to shower without supervision from other nurses. Mdm Tan collapsed and it took about 6 to 9 minutes before she was attended to by trained nurses after the trainee went around to look for help. Mdm Tan was taken to the intensive care unit before dying from complications weeks later.
This episode has shown the importance of having a comprehensive professional indemnity (PI) insurance coverage in place. The world has evolved and people are much more educated and aware of their rights nowadays, and will not hesitate to bring another party to court to enforce their perceived rights and seek compensation.
PI insurance is not only limited to professions such as doctors; others such as lawyers, engineers, architects, IT professionals, trainers etc also require them in the course of providing their services. Otherwise, a single incident with their client may bring about a lawsuit that may potentially put them out of business.Contact MAKinsure to assist you or your company to conduct a review of your existing coverage today.