Employment Practices Liability (EPL)

Commonly covers the dentists in wage disputes, sexual harassment, wrongful termination, discrimination claims (age, sex, race, disability, etc.), and other employment-related allegations.  The policy covers the dentist not just with employees, but former employees, potential employees and the public.

How soon should an EPL policy be purchased?

EPL is needed as soon as you start to hire employees for your practice. 

Why Dentists need EPL?

Cases against dentists occur on a regular basis across the country.  Dentists can find themselves vulnerable from the pre-hiring process through the exit interview, even if the employee was never hired, or only worked in your practice for a few days.

No practice is immune to a lawsuit.  Whether it be a joke told over lunch, a fired employee, or choosing not to hire someone.  We want dentists prepared for the reality that they might be the target of legal action from past, present and prospective employees. Even if the claim is groundless or fraudulent, we have seen for past cases that the defense of a suit can be expensive in time, resources and financially.

Another factor leading to dentists being vulnerable to these types of claims is that many offices have not designed or implemented procedures for hiring, firing, and disciplining employees.