Legal nurse consulting is the analysis and evaluation of facts and testimony and the rendering of informed opinions related to the delivery of nursing and other healthcare services and outcomes, and the nature and cause of injuries. The Legal Nurse Consultant (LNC) is a licensed registered nurse who performs a critical analysis of clinically related issues in a variety of settings in the legal arena.
As consultants. legal nurses serve as analysts, collaborators, strategists, researchers, and educators. With their in-depth knowledge of nursing, medicine, and the healthcare system, their contributions are recognized in all types of medical-legal cases and claims across all medical-legal settings. As such, Legal Nurse Consultants are uniquely qualified and valuable members of the legal team.
Legal Nurse Consultants;
Participate in client interviews. Identity, organize and analyze pertinent medical records. Prepare chronology, timeline, or other summaries of documentation of medical records. Conduct medical literature searches and assist in other research. Identify applicable standards of care in medical malpractice cases. Identify, screen, and facilitate review by expert witnesses. Evaluate case strengths and weaknesses. Draft or analyze medical portions of legal documents. Evaluate causation and damages issues. Educate attorneys and clients regarding relevant medical issues. Identify the plaintiff's future medical needs and associated costs. Participate in case management and case strategy discussions. Attend independent medical exams. Serve as a nurse expert witness. Perform cost of care estimates for long-term care treatment and catastrophic case management scenarios. Locate or prepare demonstrative evidence for trial. Assist with preparation for and support during deposition, trial, and ADR.
The LNC practice in areas of; medical malpractice, personal injury, long-term care/ elder law, product liability, toxic tort, workers compensation, risk management, life care planning, regulatory compliance, forensic/criminal, civil rights, employment discrimination, and medicare/Medicaid issues.
Why should you hire an LNC? The LNC has a thorough understanding of anatomy, physiology, medical treatment, and disease processes. They have extensive clinical experience, which includes the interpretation of medical records and medical literature. The LNC possesses a network of medical and professional resources and contacts.
My experience in healthcare covers many areas of nursing and administration. I have been an RN for 15 years. I have worked in emergency rooms, medical-surgical areas, labor and delivery, newborn care, long-term care, skilled care, emergency transport, outpatient services, infusion therapy, and more. Administratively I have held positions in emergency dept. management, quality lead, compliance officer, and risk management. I have been trained to facilitate Root Cause Analysis. I have participated in case preparation and mediation.