Nursing Specialties with Most Claims
Home Healthcare
Leading specialty in closed claims with highest average costs and growing complexity of care delivery
Adult Medical
Significant portion of claims involving general adult medical care across various healthcare settings
Gerontology
Claims limited to practice in aging services facilities, reflecting specialized care challenges
These three specialties account for 45% of the total closed claim distribution. Notably, aesthetics/cosmetics nurses, while representing only 4.5% of closed claims, saw their share double since the 2020 dataset, indicating emerging risks in this growing field.
Key Allegations in Malpractice Claims
Treatment and care allegations dominate nurse professional liability claims at 56.2%, highlighting the critical importance of clinical competency and adherence to standards of care. Patient rights, abuse, and professional conduct claims represent the second most frequent category at 18.2%, emphasizing the need for ethical practice and proper patient interaction protocols.
License Protection Trends
Rising Defense Costs
The average payment per license defense matter increased by 18.3%, from $5,330 in the 2020 dataset to $6,304 in the 2025 dataset. This significant increase reflects the growing complexity and duration of license defense proceedings.
Professional Conduct Focus
Professional conduct complaints had the highest distribution of all license protection closed matters in the 2025 dataset, at 38%. This trend underscores the importance of maintaining professional standards and ethical behavior in all nursing practice settings.
LPN/LVN Claim Differences
8.6%
Share of Claims
Licensed practical nurse/licensed vocational nurse claims in the 2025 dataset
36.2%
Higher Costs
LPN/LVN average total incurred costs compared to RNs
While LPN/LVN claims represented only 8.6% of claims in the 2025 dataset, their average total incurred cost of $293,507 was 36.2% higher than RNs. This disparity suggests that when LPN/LVN claims occur, they tend to involve more severe outcomes or complex legal circumstances, resulting in higher settlement and defense costs.
Take Action: Protect Your Practice
Key Takeaways
- Home healthcare claims are rising dramatically with highest average costs
- Treatment and care allegations dominate at 56.2% of all claims
- License defense costs increased 18.3% since 2020
- LPN/LVN claims, though fewer, result in 36.2% higher costs than RN claims
- Professional conduct complaints represent 38% of license protection matters
Next Steps
Stay informed about emerging risks, implement robust documentation practices, and maintain professional standards. Regular education and awareness of liability trends are essential for protecting both your license and your patients.
