What is a Legal Nurse Consultant?

A Legal Nurse Consultant (LNC) is a licensed registered nurse who has completed a certificate program in legal nurse consulting.  A LNC has a strong educational and professional background in nursing and uses this to analyze, evaluate, and render opinions regarding standards of nursing practice, delivery of healthcare services and outcomes, the cause and nature of injuries, and other healthcare related issues.  

A LNC can practice in a variety of settings within the legal system such as law firms, government agencies, insurance companies, health care facilities, forensic environments, LNC consulting firms, HMOs, self-employed independent practices, patient safety organizations and business and industry legal departments. 

As consultants, LNCs can serve as analysts, collaborators, strategists, researchers, and educators.  They can work in a variety of practice areas.

Why should you hire a Legal Nurse Consultant?

KNOWLEDGE:  The LNC has a thorough understanding of anatomy, physiology, medical treatment and disease processes.  The LNC also "speaks the language" of the physicians, other healthcare providers and patients.

EXPERIENCE:  The LNC has extensive clinical experience, which includes interpretation of medical records and medical literature.

RESOURCEFULNESS:  The LNC possesses a network of medial and professional resources and contacts. The LNC is well versed in the use of medical libraries, medical equipment, internet research and other resources.

BENEFITS:  Using a LNC can be cost effective, time saving, improve your settlement position, effectively prepare you for litigation and reduce your exposure, and help save case prep time.  Many cases can be either rejected quickly or settled in a reasonable amount of time by using the resources and knowledge of a LNC.

What can a LNC do?

A LNC can perform the following (but not all inclusive) functions:

• participate in client interviews

• identify, organize and analyze pertinent medical records

• prepare a chronology, timeline or other summary of documentation from medical records

• define and translate pertinent medical terms, procedures and disease processes to legal team

• evaluates and analyzes issue of causation

• identifies adherence to and deviations from standards of care

• assists with determining merits or defensibly of cases

• assess damages and related costs of services

• locates and confers with expert witnesses

• conduct medical literature searches and assist in other research

• identify applicable standards of care in medical malpractice cases

• identify, screen and facilitate review by expert witnesses

• evaluate case strengthes and weaknesses

• draft or analyze medical portions of legal documents

• evaluate causation and damages issues

• educate attorneys and clients regarding relevant medical issues

• identify plaintiff's future medical needs and associated costs

• participate in case management and case strategy discussions

• attend independent medical exams

• serve as a nurse expert witness

• perform cost of case estimate for long term care, treatment and catastrophic care scenarios

• locate or prepare demonstrative evidence/exhibits for trial and depositions

• assist with preparation for and support during deposition, trial and mediation

OWNER

Dr. Beth Brant APRN, LSN, CNP, NCSN, LNC

Beth Brant is the founder and owner of Brant Legal Nurse Consultants, LLC. She is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse and Certified Nurse Practitioner as well as a Legal Nurse Consultant.  Her education includes a Doctorate of Nursing Practice as well as Post Master certifications in Nursing Administration and Nursing Education. Beth is also a Nationally Certified and Licensed School Nurse.

Although she is just getting started in the Legal Nurse Consulting business, Beth has over 20 years of experience as a nurse.  From working at a local hospital on a variety of floors as well as an hospital administrator to working as a School Nurse, Beth has a wealth of varying experience with education to match.  School Nursing, Pediatrics, Medical, surgical, cardiac, urology, colorectal, education and administration.