Case Analysis
Death in Seclusion and Restraints
You may be asked to consult on a case involving a death in seclusion and restraints. The use of seclusion and restraints has fallen off in recent years, as healthcare practitioners have become aware of their dangers. Here is what can happen: Case of death in seclusion and restraints A forty-six year old man with…
Read MoreAir embolism
Air embolism is a never event. This video goes over some of the ways this event is caused and analyzed by legal nurse consultants. I have gotten lots of views on this video. Have you analyzed a case involving an air embolism? Was it difficult to prove causation? Share your thoughts.
Read MoreLegal Nurse Consultant’s Role in Preparing Demonstrative Evidence
Nurses think visually, a skill that helps legal nurse consultant working with attorneys in preparing demonstrative evidence. How do you use this skill with litigation? Although demonstrative evidence usually refers to exhibits created for use with mediations or trials, it can be used in reports or settlement brochures as well. Preparing Demonstrative Evidence: Begin with…
Read MoreScreening a fall case for merit
Falls are common in healthcare settings. You can perform an invaluable service by screening a fall case for merit. A fall that results in injury – a fracture, head injury, or paralysis may present an appealing case to a plaintiff attorney. But some attorneys stop and think, “Is this really a good case? Should I…
Read MoreMedical Malpractice Errors
Legal nurse consultants work within the high stakes arena of medical malpractice errors litigation. We are often asked to screen medical malpractice cases for merit – does the case meet the criteria for a winnable case – for the plaintiff or the defendant? Other industries, such as aviation, manufacturing, and energy developed safety interventions needed…
Read MoreScreening a Medication Error Case for Medical Malpractice
A legal nurse consultant may screen a medication error case for merit. The LNC recognizes that is often easiest to screen a case by starting with the damages. What happened as a result of the alleged medication error? Permanent, severe damages have the highest potential for providing compensation, assuming that liability and causation can be…
Read MoreScreening a Medical Malpractice Case for Merit
An LNC and physician explaining a case to the attorney[/caption] You are a legal nurse consultant who is asked to be involved in screening a medical malpractice case for merit. The medical records are in hand; someone has to review them. Who should review them, and in what sequence, depends on numerous factors. When should…
Read MoreLegal Nurse Consultants: 4 Medical Record Analysis Barriers
What are the 4 most common medical record analysis barriers you will encounter as a legal nurse consultant? Disorganized medical records The records come into your possession in no particular order. They were scanned and saved to a disk before they were organized, which requires you to sift through them to rearrange pages. You may…
Read MoreSurprising Verdict: Fractured Wrist
Right now I have been reading recent medical malpractice verdicts to find great examples to include in a new book. The one below got my attention. It was a surprising verdict. Surprising verdict in a fractured wrist case The fifty-three year old plaintiff went through cervical surgery. When she awoke, her left wrist was swollen…
Read MoreThe Patient Removed His Own Staples
Would you believe a patient who said a nurse or physicians assistant told him to remove his own staples after he lacerated his leg? The patient removed his own staples. In this interesting case, a 68-year-old man went to the ED with a chainsaw laceration of his left knee. He developed a severe infection in…
Read More