Legal nurse consultant

Legal Nurse Consultant is a registered nurse who uses existing expertise as a healthcare professional plus specialized Legal Nurse Consultant training to consult on medical-related legal cases. Legal Nurse Consultants assist attorneys in reading medical records and understanding medical terminology and healthcare issues to achieve the best results for their clients.

Role and Responsibilities

A Legal Nurse Consultant's primary role is to evaluate, analyze, and render informed opinions on the delivery of health care and the resulting outcomes. Their responsibilities include:

• Reviewing and analyzing medical records
• Educating attorneys regarding medical facts and issues relating to a case or claim
• Researching and understanding the standards of care, causation, and damage issues
• Evaluating the merits of a case from a nursing and medical perspective
• Preparing reports and summaries on the medical facts and issues based on the review of records, depositions, and other pertinent materials
• Locating and interfacing with expert witnesses

Training and Certification

Legal Nurse Consultants are registered nurses who have successfully completed additional training beyond their basic education. Many Legal Nurse Consultants hold the Legal Nurse Consultant Certified (LNCC) credential which exhibits proof of proficiency in the field. The LNCC is a discretionary practice credential available to any licensed registered nurse who meets the eligibility criteria and successfully completes the certification examination.

Employment

Legal Nurse Consultants are employed in a variety of settings including law firms, insurance companies, government agencies, and independent practices. They may work as staff employees or as independent consultants.

See Also

• Nursing
• Legal profession
• Healthcare consulting