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What is a Legal Nurse Consultant?
A legal nurse consultant (LNC) is a registered nurse who uses expertise as a health care provider
and specialized training to consult on medical-related legal cases. LNCs assist attorneys in
reading medical records and understanding medical terminology and healthcare issues to achieve
the best results for their clients.
A legal nurse consultant bridges gaps in the attorney's knowledge. While the attorney is the
expert on legal issues, the LNC is the expert on nursing and the health care system. LNCs screen
cases for merit, assist with discovery; conduct the existing literature and medical research;
review medical records; identify standards of care; prepare reports and summaries on the extent
of injury or illness; create demonstrative evidence; and locate or act as expert witnesses.
The legal nurse consultant acts as a specialized member of the litigation team whose professional
contributions are often critical to achieving a fair and just outcome for all parties. There are
several courses and certifications available for LNCs. Some offer basic education while others
offers more comprehensive training. The LNC is paid for their education and years of experience
in the medical field, not just their LNC certification or training, but having the training is
suggested and being certified as a LNC is suggested. Attorneys should seek out LNC for their
expertise because of their training.
A LNC differs from a paralegal in that a paralegal assists attorneys in the delivery of legal
services and frequently requires a legal education. Legal nurse consulting is defined as a
specialty practice of nursing noting that the professional foundation is first and foremost,
nursing. While many legal nurse consultants have acquired knowledge of the legal system,
legal education is not a prerequisite to the practice of legal nurse consulting. A legal
nurse consultant uses existing expertise as a health care professional to consult and
educate clients on specific medical and nursing issues in their cases.
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