Final answer:
Nurses are generally covered by their employer's malpractice insurance when carrying out their duties. Liability for hospitals or health-care workers can be complex, involving standards of care. The government regulates the safety and efficacy of medical devices and protocols.
Step-by-step explanation:
Health care providers, such as nurses, are typically covered by their employer's malpractice insurance when performing their professional duties within the scope of their employment. If a nurse strictly follows hospital procedures and protocols, even if those protocols are later deemed flawed, determining liability can become complex. The question of whether hospitals or health-care workers should be held liable often depends on case-specific details and whether the standard of care was met. Similarly, whether manufacturers of medical equipment that fails or is found to be defective should bear responsibility is a controversial issue that balances patient safety with the ability of companies to provide lifesaving equipment. The role of the government is typically to enforce regulations that ensure the safety and efficacy of medical devices and protocols, and to provide a legal framework for addressing harm caused by medical malpractice or defective products.