Katy Jones, MSN, RN - Legal Nurse Consultant

𝗙𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗪𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗩𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀

I learned the hard way about what is now called source verification. At my first client meeting in the law firm where I worked, I handed the attorney the firm’s copy of the medical records. I flagged key entries and created a chronology listing the date and what the note said. He looked at everything for a nanosecond, handed it back, and said, “Here, you find it,” which showed my chronology wasn't enough

That day, I learned a lesson I never forgot: A chronology is only as defensible as its traceability. If the attorney can’t find the source, the report isn’t useful and it isn’t defensible.

Over the years, I’ve used five reliable ways to verify sources and keep everyone on the same page.

1. 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗻𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 Add a column and note the record name (e.g., St. Anthony Hospital – Subpoena) and page number. Example: St. Anthony Hospital (Subpoena), p. 314 of 428. Anyone with that record set can immediately locate the source.

2. 𝗛𝘆𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗱 Highlight the record name → Insert → Link → select the file.

Limitations:

• External users can’t open the link unless the file is in a shared cloud location.
• Links to older versions of Acrobat may only open at page 1, so you may still need the page number or to bookmark key pages.

Hyperlinks help, but they don’t replace page identification.

3. 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗠𝗮𝗽 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗴𝗲 CaseMap lets you link a chronology entry to the exact page in the PDF - efficient for internal teams.

Limitation: only users with CaseMap access can open the link unless using a legacy system.

4. 𝗕𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗽 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝘅 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀 Bates stamp every page, create an index correlating Bates ranges to each record set, and reference the Bates number in your chronology. Example: Bates SAH_000314

Caution: multiple defendants may produce overlapping records, creating conflicting Bates systems unless consolidated.

5. 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗜 𝘀𝗼𝗳𝘁𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 In AI workflows, source verification means tracing any extracted or summarized information back to the original record entry and confirming accuracy, completeness, and interpretation. The LNC validates accuracy, sequence, clinical meaning, legal relevance, and traceability.

P𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺ing 𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 Regardless of method, the process is the same:

1. Locate the source entry.
2. Confirm details (date, time, provider, content).
3. Check surrounding context.
4. Verify sequence.
5. Document the source using one of the five methods.
6. Correct the chronology if needed.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗼𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲: Anyone reading your chronology should be able to open the record and find the exact entry without guessing.

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝟰𝟮 𝗖𝗙𝗥 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝟮 𝗥𝘂𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗟𝗡𝗖 - 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗳 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲

As LNCs, we’re used to thinking about privacy through the lens of HIPAA. But the February 2026 enforcement changes to 𝟰𝟮 𝗖𝗙𝗥 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝟮 add a new layer that affects all of us, no matter which side of the case we support.

Here’s the key shift:

𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝟮 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆.

If you receive substance use disorder (SUD) treatment records from a federally protected program, you automatically become a“𝗟𝗮𝘄𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿.” If SUD records land in your hands, federal law lands on your shoulders. Lawful Holders include:

• Plaintiff LNCs working independently
• Defense LNCs working under a BAA
• Any subcontractor, expert, or consultant who touches those records

Once you’re a Lawful Holder, federal rules require you to:

• Protect the data at HIPAA level security
• Avoid redisclosing the records unless the patient’s written consent explicitly allows it
• Honor the mandatory “Prohibition on Redisclosure” notice
• Report breaches to OCR and face HIPAA level penalties

This is especially important for 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗳 𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘀, where firms are not HIPAA covered entities. Under Part 2, the moment SUD records arrive in a case file, the obligations attach to the firm and to any LNC reviewing the records.

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀: 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗳 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗺𝘀 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝟮 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗕𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗨𝗗 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀. If you receive SUD treatment records from a Part 2 program, you cannot share them with anyone else unless the patient’s written consent specifically allows it.

A standard HIPAA authorization is 𝗻𝗼𝘁 enough to share SUD treatment records with:

• Plaintiff experts
• Plaintiff LNCs
• The defense
• Defense experts
• Any downstream consultants

Under Part 2, the plaintiff firm must obtain 𝗮 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰 𝘄𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁 that clearly identifies:

• Who may receive the records (names or descriptions)
• Why the records are being shared (e.g., legal evaluation, litigation)
• Whether redisclosure is permitted and to whom
• An expiration date or event
• The patient’s signature

Without this consent, the plaintiff firm cannot legally share the records. and the defense cannot legally pass them to their own LNCs or experts.

𝗕𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗼𝗺 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗲

If SUD treatment records are part of the chart, everyone in the chain - plaintiff, defense, or independent - is responsible for protecting them under federal law. And when plaintiff firms request these records, they must use a 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝟮 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁 before sharing them with anyone downstream.

See LNCtips.com for additional resources for new LNCs.

𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀: 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗟𝗡𝗖𝘀 𝗢𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸

New Legal Nurse Consultants tend to focus on missing 𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 - undocumented meds, vitals, assessments, and so on. But in many cases, entire 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 of the medical record are absent. Recognizing what’s missing is just as important as analyzing what’s present. Below are common components that may be missing from hospital charts, especially those using electronic medical records.

𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀

These items may be scanned, stored separately, or never uploaded into the EMR:

• 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀: Emergency Department consent, admission consent, informed consent for procedures (operative, anesthesia, radiology, blood transfusion), and privacy/HIPAA-related consents.
• 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀: Living wills and durable power of attorney forms. Hospitals must ask about these under the Patient Self Determination Act, but the forms themselves may not be present.
• 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 & 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲: Photo IDs and insurance cards. Compare the legal name on the ID with the name on insurance documents and the chart. Differences aren’t illegal, but attorneys may need to request records under both names.
• 𝗔𝗱𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗦𝗵𝗲𝗲𝘁: Often missing or incomplete, but essential for demographic and insurance details.
• 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀 from transfers to or from other facilities may not be included unless specifically requested.

𝗦𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗿 𝗛𝘆𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀

These may exist outside the main EMR view and require separate retrieval:

• EKG and fetal monitoring strips
• Handwritten Code Blue records
• Diagnostic tracings or images stored in ancillary systems

𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀

Some records are stored separately due to heightened confidentiality requirements. These may include:

• Mental health therapy notes
• HIV/AIDS testing or treatment
• Genetic testing results
• Substance abuse treatment records

If the chart suggests these records exist, notify the attorney. They often require a separate authorization or a specific subpoena.

𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿

Any section of a hospital chart can have missing pages - even in electronic systems. A thorough LNC review includes checking every section for completeness and alerting the attorney to any gaps.

𝗘𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝗟𝗡𝗖 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸

Our field is changing quickly, but our LNC ethical guidelines haven’t fully kept pace with the realities of digital business. Over the years, I’ve seen more conversations, and more confusion, about copyright, subcontracting, and professional representation. These aren’t small issues. They affect our credibility, our clients, and the integrity of the LNC profession.

As LNCs, we work in a legal environment where accuracy, transparency, and trust are non‑negotiable. Our business practices should reflect that.

Here are a few areas where our profession would benefit from clearer, shared standards:

𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆
Our reports, templates, and educational materials represent years of expertise. Copying or redistributing another LNC’s work without permission isn’t “sharing resources.” It’s a breach of professional trust.

𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝘂𝗯𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴
Subcontracting can be ethical and effective, but only when it’s transparent. Clients deserve to know who is actually performing the work attached to your name.

𝗔𝗰𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
Using another consultant’s credentials, implying partnerships that don’t exist, or presenting someone else’s work as your own undermines the credibility of the entire field.

𝗘𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗟𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀
Many tools we rely on, from medical cost databases to research platforms, come with licensing rules. Understanding what can and cannot be shared protects both the consultant and the profession.

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘆
When concerns arise, a private conversation is often the most respectful first step. We can hold each other accountable without resorting to punitive measures as the default.

None of this is about policing each other. It’s about strengthening the profession we’ve worked so hard to build. Ethical business practices aren’t optional. They’re part of delivering defensible, trustworthy work.

If our field wants to continue growing and adapting to current challenges, these conversations need to be part of our shared standards, not just individual values.

Send a message to learn more

𝗧𝘆𝗽𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗮𝗹𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘀

Most new LNCs focus on the medical record. 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘀, 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗽𝗶𝗲𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝘂𝘇𝘇𝗹𝗲 — 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘂𝗮𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗲.

Yes, the chart forms the foundation of a med mal case. But experienced LNCs know that attorneys build (and defend) cases using multiple categories of evidence, each carrying its own weight.

Here are some of the most common types:

• 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 - Plaintiff and all defendants (physicians, nurses, hospital reps, and other providers)
• 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘆 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗳 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘀Testimony from plaintiff and defense experts - Standard of care opinions as well as causation and damages analysis
• 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 from family, coworkers, and friends regarding quality of life, functional changes, and pain behaviors
• 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 such as photos, videos, treatment compliance, and injury progression
• 𝗗𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 - Policies and procedures, emails, texts, internal messages, even AI generated communication
• 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗳 𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗿 𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀 - Daily pain, limitations, and emotional impact
• 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀 - Economic damages
• 𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀 – Detection of medical record and billing anomalies
• 𝗗𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 - Models, enhanced imaging, and reconstructions used at trial

The takeaway: 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗶𝘁. And the law doesn’t automatically give more weight to documentation than to credible testimony. If a case goes to trial, jurors are free to weigh all evidence - not just what’s written in the chart.

This is why LNCs must think beyond documentation and analyze the full evidentiary landscape.

For more clarity and practical support as you get started, visit the Resources page at LNCtips.com. It’s a growing collection of tools and explanations to help you build confidence in your work.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗟𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀 𝗟𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗟𝗡𝗖𝘀 (𝗔 𝗦𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲, 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹‑𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄)

As I wrap up this series, I want to give new LNCs something most programs don’t teach: a simple, practical picture of what litigation looks like from the LNC perspective. Not legal theory. Just the workflow you’ll see in real cases. Litigation begins when a case is filed in court.

During litigation, the volume of records increases, the questions become more specific, and the attorney’s needs shift from “Is this case viable?” to “How do we prove or defend it?”

Here’s what LNCs typically see in litigation:

𝗘𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗺𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗽𝗹𝘆
Once the case is filed, both sides exchange records. Instead of a few hundred pages for merit, you may be reviewing tens of thousands from multiple providers and time periods.

𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲:
• organize large sets of records
• identify missing documentation
• update evolving timelines
• flag inconsistencies or unanswered questions

𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿
Attorneys send and receive interrogatories and document requests.

𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲:
• identify what records are needed
• review new batches as they arrive
• connect new information to the timeline
• draft or refine interrogatories as requested

𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆
Depositions are sworn interviews of providers, parties, and witnesses.

𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲:
• help the attorney understand clinical decisions
• identify areas where the provider may be challenged
• prepare summaries or outlines
• suggest areas to probe based on the record

𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝗽𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗲: 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗼𝗿𝘆
This is where medical experts come in, and where your clinical insight becomes invaluable.

𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲:
• help the attorney understand expert opinions
• identify strengths and weaknesses in the medical narrative
• support preparation for own and opposing experts
• help locate appropriate experts when needed

𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗣𝘂𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿
Most cases settle, but when they don’t, preparation is intense.

𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲:
• assist with timelines, summaries, and exhibits
• clarify the sequence of events
• ensure the medical story is accurate and coherent

Across all phases, the core skills remain the same: reviewing records, identifying key events, spotting gaps, and translating clinical decisions into clear, usable information for the attorney. The difference is scale and context.

Litigation isn’t something you master overnight. You grow into it as you review more cases, see more patterns, and understand how attorneys use your work at each stage.

If you’ve followed this series, you now have a clearer picture of where the field is heading and where the long‑term opportunities are. Litigation support is learnable, valuable, and firmly human, and it’s a natural next step for LNCs who want to move beyond the entry‑level tasks AI is beginning to handle.

See more practical support on the Resources page of LNCtips.com.

As my litigation series wraps up later today, it feels fitting to pivot toward what’s next for LNCs: how technology is reshaping the way we work.

I recently collaborated with a medical‑legal AI company on a piece exploring how technology supports efficiency without replacing the critical judgment that defines our work.

“AI handles tasks. LNCs handle thinking and analysis.”

The full article is now live: https://tinyurl.com/bp7snjft

It’s a look at how Legal Nurse Consultants evolve with AI while staying grounded in the essentials — precision, context, and human insight.

Modern LNC Workflows: Manual Review to AI Efficiency - CorMetrix Legal nurse consultant Katy Jones, MSN, RN, on how the LNC workflow is shifting from manual record reviewer to information strategist in modern medical-legal practice.

AI handles tasks. LNCs handle thinking and analysis.

I recently partnered with on an article that looks at how AI can support Legal Nurse Consultants by improving efficiency, without replacing the critical judgment and context we bring to every case.

If you’ve ever wondered how AI fits into modern LNC workflows (and what shouldn’t be automated), this is a great place to start.

You can read the full article here:
https://cormetrix.com/modern-lnc-workflows-manual-review-to-ai-efficiency/

It’s exciting to see how our field is evolving while staying grounded in the essentials that make LNC work so valuable.

Modern LNC Workflows: Manual Review to AI Efficiency - CorMetrix Legal nurse consultant Katy Jones, MSN, RN, on how the LNC workflow is shifting from manual record reviewer to information strategist in modern medical-legal practice.

𝗣𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗟𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸 (𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲)

In the last few posts, I’ve talked about how litigation is becoming a larger part of LNC work, especially as AI takes over the repetitive, entry level tasks in pre litigation reviews. The natural next question is: 𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘥𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘨𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘸, 𝘰𝘳 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘮 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯’𝘵 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘪𝘵?

The good news is that you don’t need to present yourself as something you’re not. Litigation support is something LNCs grow into, and attorneys don’t expect you to arrive fully formed.

Here are a few ways to position yourself authentically and confidently:

𝟭. 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗯𝘆 𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝙙𝙤 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱. You already know how to review records. You already know how to identify key events, inconsistencies, and clinical decision points. Those skills don’t disappear in litigation, they expand. And remember: 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀. More detail. More context. The core skills are the same.

𝟮. 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘆. You don’t need to say you’re “experienced in litigation.” You can say:

• “I’m familiar with the litigation process and comfortable reviewing larger sets of records.”
• “I support attorneys through early discovery and complex timelines.”
• “I help identify gaps, unanswered questions, and areas that may require further investigation.” This is accurate, honest, and positions you for litigation work without overstating anything.

𝟯. 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘅𝗶𝘁𝘆. Attorneys value LNCs who can:

• manage large volumes of records
• track evolving timelines
• identify missing documentation
• connect clinical events to legal strategy These are litigation skills, even if you’re still learning the formal process.

𝟰. 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻𝘀. A simple statement like:

“I know that litigation begins when the case is filed in court, and the volume of records increases significantly from that point forward.” …signals to attorneys that you understand the workflow better than most new LNCs.

𝟱. 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗽𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. You don’t need to jump straight into trial prep. You can position yourself for:

• early discovery
• complex hospitalizations
• multi provider timelines
• identifying issues for deposition These are natural entry points for new LNCs.

𝟲. 𝗟𝗲𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂. Attorneys rely on LNCs to explain:

• why decisions were made
• what was reasonable
• what was missing
• what should have happened next This is where your nursing experience becomes invaluable and where AI cannot compete.

Positioning yourself for litigation isn’t about claiming expertise. It’s about showing that you understand the workflow, that you can handle complexity, and that you’re ready to support attorneys beyond the initial merit review.

The final post in this series discusses what LNCs actually do to assist attorneys during litigation.

𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗟𝗡𝗖𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 𝗱𝗶𝗱𝗻’𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝘁?

How New LNCs Can Start Learning Litigation (Even If Their Program Didn’t Teach It)

Litigation support is a skill set that develops over time. You don’t need to know everything at once — you just need to understand that the work doesn’t end with a merit review. It expands once the case is filed.

When the Complaint is filed, the volume of records increases dramatically. Instead of a few hundred pages for merit, you may be reviewing thousands of pages produced through discovery.

Litigation has more records, more detail, and more context — but the core skills are the same. And as you move into litigation, it’s important to remember: 𝗔𝗜 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗮𝘀𝗸𝘀; 𝗟𝗡𝗖𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴.

Here are a few ways to start learning litigation, even if your program didn’t cover it:

𝟭. 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀.
AI can help organize and search them, but litigation support isn’t about volume — it’s about interpretation. Attorneys need LNCs who can understand how medical facts intersect with legal strategy, identify gaps, anticipate vulnerabilities, and prepare them for what comes next: depositions, written discovery, expert challenges, and trial preparation.

𝟮. 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗰 𝗽𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗮 𝗹𝗮𝘄𝘀𝘂𝗶𝘁.
You don’t need civil procedure. You just need the flow:
Complaint → Discovery → Depositions → Motions → Trial Prep.
Knowing where you are in the process helps you understand what the attorney needs.

𝟯. 𝗣𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆.
Attorneys aren’t just asking “What happened?” They’re asking:
• How does this support our theory of the case?
• Where are the vulnerabilities?
• What will opposing counsel focus on?
This is where LNCs add real value.

𝟰. 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗴𝗮𝗽𝘀, 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘂𝗻𝗮𝗻𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀.
Litigation is full of missing pieces. If you can spot what isn’t in the record — and why it matters — you’re already thinking like a litigation LNC.

𝟱. 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘁𝘀.
You can find nearly anything on the internet, including depostion transcripts and summaries.You’ll start to see how attorneys question providers, how standards of care are discussed, and how medical decisions are challenged.

𝟲. 𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝗮𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹.
You don’t need to jump straight into trial prep. Supporting an attorney during early discovery — or helping them understand a complex hospitalization — is a perfectly valid entry point.

Litigation support isn’t reserved for “experts.” It’s not out of reach. It’s simply the part of the workflow that requires judgment, context, and clinical insight — the things AI can’t replicate.

In the next post, I’ll talk about how LNCs can position themselves for litigation work and communicate their value to attorneys in a way that feels natural and authentic.