FAQ'S
Q: What is a Certified Legal Nurse Consultant?
The LNCC is recognized under the umbrella of the American Nurses Association as a specialty practice, and is fully accredited by the American Board of Nursing Specialties (ABNS). The combination of my initial 2,000 hours combined with a passing score on a multiple-choice test of competency, maintenance of that certification confers upon me the LNCC designation that demonstrates my 10+ years commitment to a professional legal nurse consulting practice. The subsequent years of certification have only added to my wealth of knowledge and experience. See the (AALNC.org., position statement on education and certification).
Q: What is a Certified Life Care Planner?
My eligibility for the CLCP credential earned in 2004 included 120 hours of specialty degree training in life care planning. Sixteen hours of training were specific to basic orientation, methodology, and standards of practice. The CHCC (2007) standard of practice #4 states, "Comprehensive and integrated services are the focus of life care planning and based on individual involvement, personal assets, and a sense of equal justice from all involved parties" (p.20). Furthermore, the CHCC standard requires the following:
- Analyze all medical records
- Request all medical records
- Determine costs of necessities, case management, non-medical diagnostics, and
- Investigate all other associated costs in each life care plan without regard for either plaintiff or defense case origin
Q: What is the AALNC?
The American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants is a nonprofit organization dedicated to professionalism of registered nurses who practice as consultants in the legal field. The AALNC has a code of ethics and conduct, which guide professional practice and performance.
Q: What is the Role of the Legal Nurse Consultant?
The Legal Nurse Consultant will evaluate, analyze, and render an informed opinion regarding the delivery of health care or treatment and the resulting outcomes. The major role of the Legal Nurse Consultant is one of educator. We educate the attorneys, the jury, the judge, the plaintiff and defendant, and consumers.
Q: What types of law firms can utilize your services?
Plaintiff firms specializing in medically related cases, personal injury, professional liability, workplace injury, nursing home litigation, etc. Defense firms with clients involved in any sort of medical/nursing issues such as toxic tort, product liability, professional liability, etc.
Q: What is involved in screening a malpractice case?
Four elements must be met:
- Duty
- Breach of Duty
- Causation
- Damages
When the attorney obtains the medical record I will review it for the presence of these four elements. I will then offer an opinion on the merits of the case.
Q: How quickly can you COMPLETE my case work-up?
Once I have the request and the information from the attorney, the case could be screened and reviewed for merit within two business days. I can submit a report summarizing the case, identifying potential defendants and identify the four elements of malpractice.