F.A.Q.'s

Frequently Asked Question's

Q. When would I hire a Legal Nurse Consultant?

A. You would hire an LNC when you require a professional to conduct a thorough analysis of medical records, provide in-depth research of relevant information, and provide additional legal support services, enabling you to focus on the legal aspects of the case.

Q. What is the benefit for the attorney?

A. Nurse consultants offer a new scope and set of expertise to assist in the effective development of your cases. The LNC can help you understand nursing concepts that a MD cannot because MD's are not fully aware of what the nurse's job actually entails. Another added benefit is that an LNC is more accessible to you than an MD. If you already have nurses working for you, the LNC can also act as a supplemental resource to assist with any special requests or additional work your case may require.

Q. Why a Nurse and not a Doctor?

A. The Legal Nurse Consultant (LNC) will save you time and money by identifying and weeding out non-meritorious cases, and by expediting the review of meritorious cases. Using an MD only gives you half of the picture, as the nurses are the primary care givers and are in constant contact with the patients. This entails performing ongoing reviews of patient's charts and consulting with other healthcare team members in reassessing, implementing and reevaluating the course of the patient's progress throughout their hospitalization. Nurses are more knowledgeable of hospital policies and inside events than MD's. MD's cannot speak on behalf of a nurse when it comes to nursing related issues or Standards of Care. A nurse can give you vital information in terms that you can understand.

Q. What are Standards of Care?

A. By definition, "A Standard of Care holds a person of exceptional skill or knowledge to a duty of acting as would a reasonable and prudent person possessing the same or similar skills or knowledge under the same or similar circumstances."

Q. Why not use a paralegal?

A. Law firms under the supervision of licensed attorneys employ a paralegal, whereas LNC's work independently. A paralegal's job is to perform legal office work and they typically are not trained in medical terminology, medical procedures, hospital practices or Standards of Care. An LNC performs the medical and nursing research with an expertise, which a paralegal is incapable of providing.

M. Salerno & Associates, Inc.
PO Box 5207

Maryville, Tennessee 37801

Phone: 865-681-0702

Fax: 865-681-6558

Support@msalernoandassociates.com