What is a legal nurse consultant?
A legal nurse consultant is a registered nurse who utilizes his/her nursing background and expertise in the clinical field to assist attorneys, insurance companies, health care providers, and other legal professionals. The LNC may review records, construct timelines, research medical issues, discover questions related to the standard of care, and explain clinical concepts. The LNC does not provide legal counsel or replace an attorney.
What is a legal nurse consultant?
Legal nurse consultants, also called LNCs, are nurses who provide health care expertise to legal cases and other proceedings. Sometimes, a layperson without clinical training may have difficulty deciphering a patient's medical records. The LNC provides insight into the terminology, treatment choices, clinical incidents and outcomes. In turn, this assists attorneys and others with the litigation of cases.
Depending on the client and the case, legal nurse consultants may help with medical malpractice, personal injury, workers' compensation, toxic exposure, long-term care, product liability, criminal law, or disability.
What does a legal nurse consultant do?
- Review medical records and locate relevant facts
- Prep medical timelines/summaries
- Look for missing records or discrepancies
- Research medical conditions, treatments, and standards of care
- Assist attorneys in developing questions for interviews or depositions
- Identify and contact specialists
- Communicate clinical information in a way that is easy to understand
LNCs may be employees, independent consultants, or contractors. Some work for law firms, insurance companies, hospitals, government agencies, or consulting practices. Others perform individual assignments as they arise.
This is largely advisory. A legal nurse consultant can advise as to whether or not a medical occurrence appears to be in line with accepted standards of care; however, the attorney will decide what to do with that information in the case. Legal Nurse Consultants should not provide legal advice unless the nurse has separate qualifications and authority to do so.
Other clinical experience, careful chart review, organization, good writing skills, and a knowledge of the legal process can be helpful as well. Before taking on any of these roles, be sure to verify the licensing and business regulations for your state or country.