Question

The nurse is accused of malpractice by a client. List the order in which the steps of the litigation process will occur (use all options).

1) The basis for the claim is determined to be appropriate and timely with all elements of liability present.
2) All parties named as defendants (nurses, physicians, health care agency), as well as insurance companies and attorneys, work toward a fair settlement.
3) Trial takes place; both sides present their evidence and arguments.
4) The case is presented to a malpractice arbitration panel. The panel's decision is either accepted or rejected, in which case a complaint is filed in trial court.
5) Pretrial discovery activities occur: review of medical records and depositions of plaintiff, defendants, and witnesses.
6) The defendants contest allegations.

A) 2, 3, 4, 1, 5, 3
B) 1, 2, 4, 6, 5, 3
C) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
D) 2, 6, 5, 3, 1, 4

Answer 1

The litigation process for a nurse accused of malpractice starts with verifying the claim, followed by efforts to settle, pretrial discovery, possible arbitration, and then goes to trial for evidence presentation and jury deliberation.

Step-by-step explanation:

When the nurse is accused of malpractice by a client, the litigation process follows several steps. The correct order starts with determining if the claim is appropriate and timely, with all elements of liability present. After that the involved parties, including defendants, insurance companies, and attorneys, may attempt to reach a fair settlement.

If this is unsuccessful, pretrial discovery activities take place, including the review of medical records and depositions. Then, if the case advances, it may be presented to a malpractice arbitration panel, and the findings there can be accepted or lead to the filing of a complaint in a trial court. In trial the defendants will contest the allegations, and both sides will present their evidence and arguments before a judge or jury. The jury then deliberates to reach a unanimous decision.