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liability question-driving client to hospital  

post #1 of 8
2/20/08 at 11:32am
Thread Starter 
Wanted to get opinions....I have a client (I'm a doula) who's husband is an airline pilot and thus may be hours away when she goes into labor. She's asking/counting on me to drive her to the hospital if that happens before her husband or family members (also several hours away) can reach her. I thought I remembered from our training something about a suggestion to have a client sign some sort of release of liability if we planned on driving clients.

Anyone else run into this? And if so, do you have a sample of a release document? thanks for your help.
post #2 of 8
2/20/08 at 12:12pm
I ran into this one time only, except that I ended up driving the mom, the dad, and the grandma because they didn't have transportation. (long story)
It ended up being that she was in false labor, we had to wait around for 5 hours for test results, and then I had to drive them back home in the middle of the night in a horrible area of town.
Long story short, if I would have thought ahead I would have had them sign some sort of consent form that stated that if anything were to happen in the car, such as an accident or precipitous birth, that I wouldn't be held responsible for any injuries, etc. that may result.
post #3 of 8
2/20/08 at 12:28pm
Yup but only if absolutely necessary...
post #4 of 8
2/20/08 at 5:40pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by happyartmama View Post
Wanted to get opinions....I have a client (I'm a doula) who's husband is an airline pilot and thus may be hours away when she goes into labor. She's asking/counting on me to drive her to the hospital if that happens before her husband or family members (also several hours away) can reach her. I thought I remembered from our training something about a suggestion to have a client sign some sort of release of liability if we planned on driving clients.

Anyone else run into this? And if so, do you have a sample of a release document? thanks for your help.
I would contact your insurance company because when I called mine my agent told me that even if someone signs a piece of paper saying they will not hold you liable if you get in an accident that piece of paper means nothing. I was also told that my insurance would deny any claims that came from an incident where I was using my car for a client and had been compensated.

I wouldn't do it if I was you and would encourage her to find out how much a taxi would cost or another form of transportation.
post #5 of 8
2/21/08 at 12:40am
I would drive her. I would really hate to be in a taxi cab while in labor, and would have a hard time saying no to what seems to me to be a reasonable request. I agree that it's reasonable to ask her to sign a waiver; even if it's non-binding, I think it's worthwhile. I also think it's very reasonable to set the limit in your practice that you'll only drive the laboring mom, and only if her partner is unable to do so, if you want to limit the number of passengers you carry.

Doula liability insurance is available, and if you like I'll dig my ALACE training manual out and find out who sells it. If you're very concerned about it, I think the minimal cost of insurance would be worth it for peace of mind (though I don't carry it myself).
post #6 of 8
2/21/08 at 12:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by GrrlyElizabeth View Post

Doula liability insurance is available, and if you like I'll dig my ALACE training manual out and find out who sells it. If you're very concerned about it, I think the minimal cost of insurance would be worth it for peace of mind (though I don't carry it myself).
But this type of insurance does not cover situations such as car accidents.
post #7 of 8
2/21/08 at 1:17pm
There is some kind of rider you can supposedly get on your auto insurance to cover occupants you are "working for". I've been researching all about nannies and came across the recommendation that a nanny should have this rider on her auto insurance if she will transport the kids in her own car. It's insurance specifically for a person who is driving other people in their personal car as part of paid work.
post #8 of 8
2/22/08 at 2:28am
I live in NYC, so it is easy to get a cab. I would not drive a client and I don't think having her sign something would do you much good anyhow.
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