What is Legal Nurse Consulting?

What is Legal Nurse Consulting?

The film "Erin Brockovich" told the true story of an inexperienced legal secretary who stumbled across some references to chromium contaminated water while researching real estate documents for her law firm. Her inquisitive mind led her to interview members of a community affected by chromium-contaminated drinking water near Pacific Gas & Electric Co.'s natural gas pumping stations at Kettleman and Topock, California, where she was struck by the number of residents suffering from cancer and other debilitating illnesses. Reviews of medical records and scientific data conducted by expert consultants subsequently led her firm to spearhead 1,250 claims in 15 class action lawsuits on behalf of people who suffered personal injuries due to the chromium contamination. PG&E ended up settling the claims in 1996 for $333 million.

A Legal Nurse Consultant is Like Erin Brockovich on Steroids

Most attorneys haven't got a clue when it comes to reading or understanding medical records. Few, if any, understand medical terminology, would know a normal test value from an abnormal one, have any idea what the treatment or care should be for any given illness or injury, or know whether a provider practiced within their accepted scope of practice or met accepted standards of care. Legal Nurse Consultants bridge that gap by providing professional contributions that are often critical to the success of the case.

Legal Nurse Consultants (LNCs) combine nursing expertise with legal knowledge to advise attorneys and others on matters involving medical malpractice, personal injury, product liability, workers' compensation, healthcare licensure investigations, and other healthcare related cases. Legal Nurse Consultants review and analyze medical records, screen for record tampering, interview clients, conduct research and summarize medical literature, help evaluate liabilities and damages, assist with discovery and depositions, prepare exhibits, and render informed opinions to attorneys on the delivery of health care and its outcomes for specific cases. LNCs assist in the selection of expert witnesses as needed, and independent Legal Nurse Consultants may, from time to time, serve as as expert witnesses in cases involving nursing standards of care or related matters as well. The expertise and diligence of Legal Nurse Consultants help all parties involved achieve a fair and just outcome.

The Demand for Legal Nurse Consultants

The demand for Legal Nurse Consultants is at an all-time high. At least 25% of attorneys today deal with medical malpractice lawsuits. Consequently the demand for competent, experienced nurses who can work with them is also continually on the rise.

Employment for Legal Nurse Consultants is readily available with insurance companies, law firms, HMOs, hospital risk management departments, consulting firms, and government offices, many choose to operate independently, working with those organizations on a case-by-case basis.

Legal Nurse Consultants who work in law firms, insurance companies, and for other employers typically earn salaries approximately the same as those of hospital nursing administrators, (about $80,000 in 2004, according to a Nursing Management salary survey conducted that year). LNCs who go into business for themselves as independent consultants charge hourly fees of $100 to $200 or more for their services.

How to Become a Legal Nurse Consultant

Legal Nurse Consulting education is offered by universities, colleges, community colleges, for-profit businesses, and not-for-profit organizations. In assessing the value of these programs, the reputation and accreditation of the sponsoring institution should be considered. The primary focus of legal nurse consulting education should be to build on nursing education and clinical experience and to prepare nurses to perform in the legal arena.

Legal Nurse Consultants come from all levels of registered nurse educational backgrounds and practice areas. Legal Nurse Consultants having a strong background of medical-surgical nursing are just as valuable to the profession as those with backgrounds in specialty nursing practice areas such as critical care, neonatology, cardiology, or oncology. Experience as a registered nurse, regardless of practice specialty, provides the foundation of knowledge that allows LNCs to review, analyze, and advise on a wide variety of medical legal cases.

Completing a formal education program in Legal Nurse Consulting provides nurses with skills, knowledge and credentials that enable them to explore new job opportunities with insurance companies, law firms, health care management organizations, law enforcement, government agencies, or even set up independent consulting businesses.

Kaplan University offers an online nurse attorney-instructed program in Legal Nurse Consulting which can be completed in under a year. Kaplan University is fully accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, a regional accreditation commission recognized by the United States Department of Education. The program requires students to take five classes, including:

- Introduction to Legal Nurse Consulting
- Civil Litigation for the Legal Nurse Consultant
- Principles of Tort Law and Medical Liability
- Medical Records Summary and Review
- Healthcare Risk Management

The Online Legal Nurse Consultant certificate program offered by Kaplan University allows students to do their course work when they want to, where they want to, and at their own pace without having to give up their present job or income while they pursue their education. Students pay a flat-rate tuition for the entire program, and are allowed up to 12 months to complete the required classes. Once you obtain certification, you will be able to begin practicing as a Legal Nurse Consultant.

Certification for Legal Nurse Consultants is available through the American Legal Nurse Consultant Certification Board, established in 1997 by the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants.