What is an LNC?

What is a Legal Nurse Consultant?

What Makes a Legal Nurse Consultant Distinct?

What Does a Legal Nurse Consultant Do?

• Acts as a liaison with attorneys, physicians and clients
• Educates attorneys regarding medical facts and issues relating to a case or claim
• Researches applicable literature and evidence to determine the merits of a case
• Reviews and analyzes documents and compares them to the allegations
• Summarizes medical literature
• Screens for record tampering
• Defines and evaluates the standards of care practices
• Evaluates the possible breach of duty on the part of the healthcare practitioner or facility
• Prepares witness and exhibit lists
• Interviews witnesses and involved parties
• Prepares persuasive graphic exhibits for trial
• Assesses issues of damage and causation
• Identifies and retains expert witnesses
• Assists in obtaining medical records and identifying missing records
• Organizes medical records and other medically-related litigation materials
• Prepares chronologies of medical events and correlates them to the allegations
• Developes collaborative case strategies with those practicing within the legal system
• Provides support during discovery, depositions, trial and other legal proceedings

Where Does the Legal Nurse Consultant Practice?

• Law firms
• Government offices
• Insurance companies
• Hospital risk management departments
• Forensic environments
• Consulting firms
• HMOs
• Self-employed independent practices

What is the Role of the Legal Nurse Consultant?

• Personal injury
• Product liability
• Medical malpractice
• Workers' compensation
• Toxic torts
• Risk management
• Medical licensure investigation
• Fraud and abuse, compliance
• Criminal law
• Elder law
• Other applicable cases

AALNC Code of Ethics and Conduct

Preamble

The Code of Ethics and Conduct of the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants is based on beliefs about the nature of individuals and society. The code of professional and ethical conduct provides guidelines to its members for professional performance and behavior. The success of any professional organization results from the competence and integrity of its members. Our goal to those we serve is that they be assured of our accountability.

We recognize a responsibility to other professional organizations with which we are aligned, in particular, the American Nurses Association and the American Bar Association. We accept and abide by the principles of their code of ethics and conduct. By our support of the Code of Ethics and Conduct of the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants, we affirm that the rights and trust placed in us will not be violated.

Code of Ethics

1. The legal nurse consultant does not discriminate against any person based on race, creed, color, age, sex, national origin, social status, or disability and does not let personal attitudes interfere with professional performance. Individual differences do not influence professional performance and practice. These factors are understood, considered, and respected when performing activities.

2. The legal nurse consultant performs as a consultant or an expert with the highest degree of integrity. Integrity refers to uprightness, honesty, and sincerity. The legal nurse consultant directs those attributes to the requirements of the profession. Integrity is a personal and sacred trust and the standard against which the legal nurse consultant must ultimately test all decisions. Honest errors and differences of opinion may occur, but deceit, poor judgment, or lack of principles must not be tolerated.

3. The legal nurse consultant uses informed judgment, objectivity, and individual competence as criteria when accepting assignments. The legal nurse consultant does not purport to be competent in matters in which he or she has limited knowledge or experience. Only services that meet high personal and professional standards are offered or performed.
   
4. The legal nurse consultant maintains standards of personal conduct that reflect honorably upon the profession. The legal nurse consultant abides by all federal and state laws. The legal nurse consultant who knowingly becomes involved in unethical or illegal activities negates professional responsibility for personal interest or personal gain. Such activities jeopardize the public confidence and trust in the nursing profession.
   
5. The legal nurse consultant provides professional services with objectivity. The legal nurse consultant provides services free of personal prejudice and conflict of interest. The legal nurse consultant reflects on all current assignments and commitments before accepting assignments, making decisions, rendering opinions, or providing recommendations. Personal prejudices and conflicts of interest must be recognized, as they may interfere with objectivity and adversely affect performance.
   
6. The legal nurse consultant protects client privacy and confidentiality. The legal nurse consultant uses confidential materials with discretion. The legal nurse consultant respects and protects the privacy of the client. The legal nurse consultant does not use any client information for personal gain.
   
7. The legal nurse consultant is accountable for responsibilities accepted and actions performed.
   
8. The legal nurse consultant maintains professional nursing competence. The legal nurse consultant is a registered nurse and maintains an active nursing license. The legal nurse consultant is knowledgeable about the current scope of nursing practice and the standards of the profession. The legal nurse consultant does not practice law.

Each individual's personal commitment to the Code of Ethics and Conduct of the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants is the ultimate regulator of his or her behavior. By adopting this Code of Ethics and Conduct, we affirm to those with whom we serve that they have the right to expect us to abide by this code.

As members of the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants, we pledge to demonstrate to the public this commitment of integrity and professional excellence.