Doulas: are you "incorporated" in any way?

[AmieV]

My DH is a finance geek and was asking me if once I start working I'll "incorporate" or have an "S corporation" or somehow basically set myself up so I'm not "liable" for anything, and so I can't get sued for personal assets. This sounds nuts to me and I've never ever heard of a doula worrying about such a thing, but, this is they way my husband's mind works so I thought I'd check!

[SublimeBirthGirl]

It's hard to imagine a scenario where a doula could totally protect herself if she was sued just by incorporating.

[bryonyvaughn]

Sounds nuts to me too. While I don't know if there are any tax advantages to incorporating, I'd think with your being the sole shareholder and sole employee of the corporation it would be quite easy for anyone making a claim against your corporation to pierce the corporate veil.

~BV

[DucetteMama21842]

Haven't really come up with this problem or know anyone who has...

I do have a contract that I think pretty explicitly exempts me from being held liable for anything... and I don't practice medicine... I step lightly, is I guess how I would put it. I will educate, but medical decisions are always left up to the couple and their care provider.

[1stimestar]

Many doulas do incorporate. While if you stay within your scope of practice you are pretty darn safe, there may be a time when everyone present is called in to court by a DA (not necessarily by the parents). Personally I don't find it necessary but obviously some do.

[tlcdoula]

I have incorporated as an LLC. In my area many of the doulas have incorporated and have done so because they have talked with their accountants or attornies. Personally I have not spoken with either, but have incorporated my business because I do more than just doula work. I also do childbirth education, hypnosis and massage therapy so my business is incorporated.

[SublimeBirthGirl]

I think it's unlikely for a doula to be sued for doing her job. No contract in the world is going to protect you from negligence, though. As with any job in the health field, you just have to be careful not to go beyond your scope of practice or give medical advice.