A family sued and won a nearly million-dollar judgment from the hospital where their daughter committed suicide after being admitted for psychiatric observation. The daughter gained access to a window from which she jumped to her death. One of the hospital's insurers, which provided general liability coverage, denied the claim. It argued that the daughter's act involved a professional error which was excluded under its policy.

Click here to see how the court ruled.

Naturally we want to be sure that clients are protected as intended and commercial general liability policies offer coverage for regular premises exposures. The above case, while definitely occurring in a professional setting (a hospital) the loss itself still fell within the scope of a regular loss exposure:

Click here to read a brief explanation of a standard general liability policy's primary coverage in the PF&M analysis.

The circumstances that lead to exposures reaching the level of becoming professional are distinct from general loss risks. Professional liability stems largely from the high degree of expert service being provided. When mistakes are made, the negative consequences are often substantial.

Click here to read a brief explanation of an overview of health care providers professional liability coverage in the PF&M analysis.

You're the expert! Our clients have a great deal of knowledge of their own businesses but you're the expert in the myriad ways that client actions and operations may create liabilities. You are most effective when you can clearly communicate the sources of loss that clients may face. Sometimes, the most effective communications are examples.

Click here on tips on creating examples.