When is the best time to bring in an Legal Nurse Consultant on a case?
The sooner the better. It frequently takes much more work for the Legal Nurse Consultant when they are brought in late in the case development. If it is well into the case, or just before trial, it may be too late for discovery that the Legal Nurse Consultant may identify to be advantageous.
What is the difference between a “testifying witness” Legal Nurse Consultant and an “internal”, or “behind the scenes,”
Consultant?
An internal or behind the scenes Legal Nurse Consultant helps the attorney with the architecture of the case; identifying the medical components of the case, the interpretation and significance of the lab and tests results, and identifying witnesses to be deposed or records to be obtained, variations in the standard of care delivered. The Legal Nurse Consultant will also create a chronology, cast of characters, and case summary. Generally, the behind the scenes Legal Nurse Consultant’s work is protected as attorney work product.
A testifying expert will testify at trial after having reviewed the appropriate records and documentation. Most frequently, the testifying expert will testify to the standard of care versus what care was delivered. Anything the testifying expert LNC writes, reviews and researches is discoverable.
Does PJWA Medical Legal Consulting provide referrals for physician specialties?
Yes. We have an extensive database of medical specialists across the United States.
Does PJWA charge for referrals?
If we are already working on the case with you, you are only billed for the time, if needed, to locate the specialist.
What is PJWA’s process if the Legal Nurse Consultant feels the case is weak or does not have merit?
PJWA’s Legal Nurse Consultant are always prepared to provide the attorney with their honest opinion, as well as the basis for that opinion. If we feel we cannot support the case, we will discuss that immediately with the attorney. It is important to us to be your and your client’s advocate. We appreciate that the attorney may not want to hear that their case is weak. However, we believe that if they must hear it, whether plaintiff or defense, sooner is better than later.
Can PJWA help in preparing questions for deposition?
Preparing questions for deposition and trial is something that we do frequently.
Does PJWA provide defense or plaintiff Legal Nurse Consultants ?
We provide both plaintiff and defense assistance.
Does PJWA provide defense or plaintiff Legal Nurse Consultants ?
We provide both plaintiff and defense assistance.
Does PJWA provide defense or plaintiff Legal Nurse Consultants ?
We provide both plaintiff and defense assistance.
For what types of cases can PJWA provide Legal Nurse Consultant support?
Basically, all types as we have a full staff of highly experienced Legal Nurse Consultants, all of whom must have a minimum of 10 years of clinical practice. Many of our Legal Nurse Consultant’s have more than 20 years of experience. A partial list of the experts’ specialties we provide include:
- Cardiac Disease
- Decubitus
- Elder Abuse
- Emergency Room
- Geriatrics
- Home Health
- ICU – adult, pediatrics and neonatal
- Infectious Disease
- Long Term Care
- Nephrology, including acute dialysis
- Neurology
- Nursery
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Operating Room
- Orthopedics
- Outpatient
- Psychiatric
- Pulmonary Disease
- Sexual Assault
- Skilled Nursing Facilities
- Transplantation
- Wound care
How can PJWA provide experts in all of these fields?
PJWA has a staff of over 200 Legal Nurse Consultant’s with decades of expertise in all different fields. We offer the most experienced nurse in the specialty field of concern. Many of our LNCs are advanced practice nurses as well. This offers the law firm the consistency of one source for all of their cases. PJWA’s familiarity with your firm’s practices ensures our ability to provide value added service.
