Legal nurse consultant

Legal nurse consultant

One specialized area of nursing is legal nurse consulting. A Legal Nurse Consultant (LNC) is a registered nurse who uses existing expertise as a healthcare professional plus specialized training to consult on medical-related cases at fees of $125-$150/hour. Few attorneys know how to read medical records or understand the terminology and subtleties of healthcare issues to achieve the best results for their clients.

A legal nurse consultant bridges that gap in the attorney's knowledge. While the attorney is the expert on legal issues, the Legal Nurse Consultant is the expert on nursing, the healthcare system and its inner workings. Legal Nurse Consultants screen cases for merit, assist with discovery; conduct medical literature research; review medical records; identify standards of care; prepare reports and summaries on the extent of injury or illness; create demonstrative evidence; and locate or act as expert witnesses. Although most LNCs work behind the scenes, they may also serve as expert witnesses.

The legal nurse consultant acts as a specialized member of the litigation team whose professional contributions are often critical to achieving a fair and just outcome for all parties. There are several courses and certifications available for Legal Nurse Consulting. Some offer basic education while others offers more comprehensive training. The Legal Nurse is paid for their education and years of experience in the medical field, not just their Legal Nurse Consulting certification or training, but having the training is suggested and being certified as a Legal Nurse Consultant is suggested. Attorneys should seek out Legal Nurse Consultants for their expertise because of their training.

A Legal Nurse Consultant differs from a paralegal in that a paralegal assists attorneys in the delivery of legal services and frequently requires a legal education. Legal Nurse Consulting is defined as a specialty practice of nursing noting that the professional foundation is first and foremost, nursing. While many legal nurse consultants have acquired knowledge of the legal system, legal education is not a prerequisite to the practice of legal nurse consulting. A legal nurse consultant uses existing expertise as a health care professional to consult and educate clients on specific medical and nursing issues in their cases.


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