Legal Nurse Consulting Services
No matter what the task, I pride myself on doing the highest quality work for my clients and as expeditiously as possible. I think my many years of being a successful, independent Legal Nurse Consultant (LNC) with loyal clients speaks to that. I am detail-oriented and highly analytical with excellent communication skills.
I provide many services which can benefit attorneys in a variety of ways. For many medicolegal cases, utilizing my services is not only cost effective, but can also maximize your chances of success and add value. Whether working for Plaintiff or Defense, my only agenda is to do the best job I can. I would further add that, although based in Dallas, I can provide services to attorneys in any state. I have worked effectively with attorneys across the country.
Review, analyze and summarize medical records
I have reviewed and analyzed over 1000 cases, involving almost every situation you can think of. I have a knack for discerning and assessing the key facts and issues, which sometimes may not be readily apparent. Typically, an attorney will request some type of report summarizing my findings. They appreciate my clear, concise style of writing and insightful analysis. My ER RN background has been especially helpful for comprehending and analyzing a wide variety of medical issues. Additionally, my vast experience as an LNC has expanded my medical knowledge much further, and I am comfortable reviewing virtually any type of case - from birth injuries, to complex traumatic injuries, to perioperative cases, and to numerous other medical specialities. I am also smart enough to know what I don't know, and I will be the first to tell you when a particular issue can only be addressed by a specialist in that field.
Evaluate med mal and personal injury cases
I often evaluate cases to help attorneys decide whether to further investigate or pursue a case. I help the attorneys understand the medical issues involved, as well the pros and cons - anticipating what the other side may contend. I inform them which types of experts would be needed for the case.
Obtain medical experts; liaison with doctors and attorneys
Finding the right expert is crucial to being successful with a case. The wrong expert can sink it. I find knowledgeable, credible experts with the right type of specialization to address the issues. An experienced LNC can be instrumental in achieving better communication between physician experts and attorneys.
Create medical chronologies
A medical chronology can be of great value - especially in complicated cases. Rather than going back and forth through all of the medical records, you can refer to one concise source. A good medical chronology includes all the relevant details, and perhaps just as importantly, leaves out the superfluous ones.
Organize medical records
Properly organized medical records can save the attorney a lot of time, money, effort, and frustration in the long run. I highly recommend this, especially for litigated cases.
Bookmark and notate PDF’s of medical records
Using PDF’s of medical records can be very convenient, but without bookmarks they can be frustrating to use. I can make your PDF's much more user-friendly by adding bookmarks (medical tabs, office visit dates, etc). If needed, I can also add highlights and notes to them (in a non-destructive fashion) to aid you in finding what you're looking for. Furthermore, adding optical character recognition (OCR) can make the PDF's searchable and gives the ability to copy and paste.
Research medical literature and obtain articles
I have extensive experience researching medical literature. There's certainly a lot out of information out there, but it takes someone with expertise to know what to look for and where to look.
Identify relevant standards of care, rules, regulations, guidelines, protocols
I can help the attorney determine and find standards of care, rules, regulations, guidelines, and protocols that are relevant to the case. These will often be used as the basis for a negligence claim.
Assist with depositions, mediations, and trials
Preparation is the key to being successful with depositions, mediations and trials. As an experienced LNC, I can help the attorney be well-organized and focused for these events. I can also assist with demonstrative evidence and collaborate with other vendors.
Prepare deposition questions
For your depositions with doctors and other healthcare professions, I can save you a lot of time and frustration by writing out deposition questions for you. I do this frequently for my clients with excellent results. With my medical and legal background, I know what questions to ask and when to ask them. I develop strategies for each deponent, to elicit answers most helpful to your case.
Assist with preparation of legal documents, such as POP’s and RFP’s
I can collaborate with the attorney or legal assistant when drafting various legal documents. Frequently, medical summaries I have previously written can be repurposed for such documents. I can also help identify relevant records and other documents for RFP's and subpoena duces tecum.
Conduct investigational interviews
I frequently assist with interviews either by phone on in person. It helps to have an LNC who can quickly identify the critical issues and know the right questions to ask. I often do interviews for such things as screening the attorney's potential new clients or obtaining information from treating physicians.
Identify missing records and billing
Especially at the onset of a new case, there are usually medical records missing. I can help identify those and determine whether they might be relevant to the case. Sometimes it's not what you see, but what you don't see. Additionally, the Plaintiff's attorney may inadvertently be missing billing records, such as in-hospital providers who bill separately like as anesthesiologists and radiologists. Identifying missing billing records will obviously add value to a Plaintiff's case.
Help develop strategies for successful resolution of cases
Every case has two sides and each side, it's strengths and weaknesses. As a highly experienced LNC who has worked for both sides, I can provide an objective assessment and help the attorney develop strategies to maximize the strengths and minimize the weakness. I have often been told by Plaintiff attorneys that I was instrumental to their case's success. Conversely, when working with Defense, I have been told I saved the hospitals / insurance millions of dollars.