Legal Nurse Consultants (LNCs) are an emerging group of health
care professionals who are enriching and facilitating the legal
process. An LNC is a nurse who possesses broad clinical nursing
experience as well as specific training in the law and legal
procedures.
In recent years, these individuals have been meeting the
increasing needs of law firms specializing in plaintiff or
defense work in the areas of personal injury, medical
malpractice, products liability, insurance, workers'
compensation, and general litigation. LNCs make valuable
contributions to health care organizations, health care
institutions, managed care organizations, insurance companies,
and corporate legal departments.
What�s It Like?
The field of legal nurse consulting is extremely diverse.
Accordingly, duties and responsibilities vary depending on the
practice setting in which the LNC is employed. The information
supplied by these consultants may lend to an attorney's
understanding of the health related issues of a case and can
provide insight and understanding in the attorney's
determinations and actions concerning liability, standards of
care, and damages. An LNC's contribution often enhances the legal
process itself.
Some important duties
include:
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Extensive work with medical records, the
critical elements in personal injury, medical malpractice,
and insurance cases. |
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Preparing reports and summaries that outline
the extent of a client's illness or injury. |
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Educating attorneys and other professionals
regarding the medical issues relevant to the case. |
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Researching all case-related medical and
legal issues. |
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Identifying and interacting with expert
witnesses and, when appropriate, serving as an expert
witness. |
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Aiding attorneys with pretrial and trial
procedures. |
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Assessing potential problem areas in
hospitals and other health care institutions. |
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Developing policy and procedure to insure
regulatory compliance in health care institutions.
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The Job Market
The U.S. Department of Labor ranks the paralegal profession as
one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States. It
is important to note that the health care industry has undergone
tremendous changes in the past decade. As a result, nurses have
become increasingly involved in all aspects of healthcare. LNCs
are in a unique position to offer a valuable contribution to the
legal profession. As the legal nurse consulting field develops,
many more attorneys, health care organizations, health care
institutions, and insurance companies will become familiar with
the beneficial contributions LNCs can make to their practices and
organizations.
Where Do Legal Nurse Consultants
Work?
Law Firms
Law offices including plaintiff and defense firms, welcome LNCs
in such areas as insurance, product liability, personal injury,
toxic torts, medical malpractice, and criminal cases.
Insurance Companies
Many LNCs serve in the capacity of educator for insurance
adjusters or as risk management consultants.
Health Maintenance
Organizations
These groups offer LNCs an opportunity to utilize their knowledge
in regulatory and compliance work.
Health Care Facilities
Hospitals, ambulatory care centers, and clinics are often in need
of LNCs to employ their skills in risk management, investigation
techniques, and education of patients and staff.
Government
Local, state and federal agencies may employ LNCs for
investigation and research, as well as enforcement of regulatory
and compliance issues.
Working Independently
Many legal nurse consultants choose to work independently,
providing their expertise on an as-needed basis. Many LNCs may
find employment on a case-by-case basis for firms specializing in
various areas of health law including: medical malpractice,
personal injury, products liability and health, disability, and
workers' compensation insurance. Additionally, the legal nurse
consultant may be eligible for consultant work for health care
institutions, health care organizations, government agencies and
private health, disability, and worker's compensation
insurers.
Want to find out more about becoming an LNC? Visit the College
of Professional Studies at www.kaplancollege.com.
