Home » Online Programs » Legal Nurse Consulting
Legal nurse consulting is the practice of lending medical expertise to legal cases. This is performed by registered nurses who have additional training in legal studies. A degree or certification program in legal nurse consulting will familiarize nurses with the law. A registered nurse will greatly increase his/her earning potential by becoming a certified legal nurse consultant. Many professionals in this field can demand up to $150 an hour.
It is necessary for lawyers to hire legal nurse consultants when a particular case hinges on some sort of medical evidence or contains medical vernacular. Since a lawyer has no formal medical training, then a professional in the medical industry is needed for such cases. An estimated 25% of all practicing attorneys specialize in medical malpractice or personal injury. This figure demonstrates the need for legal nurse consultants.
Legal nurse consulting is directly related to the study of forensic nursing, which involves the collection of criminal evidence and the treatment of prisoners and victims. The duties involved with legal nurse consulting are varied, though they commonly involve translating medical jargon or reviewing medical records. A nurse can earn a graduate degree in legal nurse consulting or pursue a certification program. The latter is a more expedited track toward the career and is less costly.
Legal nurse consultants review, organize, and analyze medical records, perform medical and legal research, locate and interview expert witnesses, and assist attorneys with pretrial…