A patient says, "I was told my back pain is the result care I received when I was in the hospital a year ago. How long do I have to file a lawsuit?" Which statements made by the nurse are appropriate?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Rationale 1: The "discovery rule" is a general guideline stating that patients have 2 years from the time that they knew or should have known of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. This is a fact that the nurse would be justified in providing to a patient.
Rationale 2: State laws differ widely on statutes of limitations. This is a fact that the nurse would be justified in providing to a patient.
Rationale 3: The nurse is not prepared to determine if it is "too late" to file this suit and should not make this statement.
Rationale 4: The statute of limitation of the state in which the injury occurred would apply.
Rationale 5: Some courts have distinguished between traumatic injury cases and diseases cases. This is a fact and the nurse would be justified in providing this information to the patient.

A Patient Says, "I Was Told My Back Pain Is