https://www.lnctips.com/, https://tinyurl.com/wu6ua4wm

Katy Jones, MSN, RN - Legal Nurse Consultant, Plantation, FL (2026)

08/19/2026

𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗶𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗶𝗲𝗰𝗲𝘀 - 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘁

My daughter made this decades‑old photo into a 1,014‑piece puzzle, all black, white, and grayscale, with unusual piece shapes. It was brutal to put together. It came with the original 3½ x 5‑inch photo, but nothing larger. I didn’t think to scan and enlarge it until I was already halfway through.

The photo itself is messy: people in the background, signs, an excavator, construction equipment, blurred details, uneven contrast… everything blending together.

The puzzle box didn’t even specify the finished size, so when I completed the edges, I had no idea whether pieces were missing. Honestly, for most of the puzzle, I was sure pieces were missing.

But when I placed the last four blurry pieces - our faces - there we were: my husband and I squinting into the sun in front of the Wisconsin State Capitol. Weird shadows on our faces. Funny clothes. An excavator arm coming out of my head, and a sign sprouting from his shoulder.

When I stepped back, it reminded me of how we work as LNCs.

LNCs don’t analyze:

• Perfect charts
• Perfect timelines
• Perfect documentation

We analyze messy information.

As new LNCs, we start out laser‑focused on finding missing documentation, and yes, that matters. But sometimes the documentation 𝘪𝘴 there. The challenge is that the chart itself is muddled. The pieces exist, but they don’t immediately form a clear picture.

Just like this puzzle, you need skill, patience, and perspective to understand how everything fits.

And this is exactly where LNCs bring value: attorneys don’t need someone who can read a perfect chart. They need someone who can make sense of a complicated one.

The documentation may be complete. Your job is to see the whole picture. You can absolutely do this.

If you’re a new LNC learning how to interpret messy charts, I share practical tips and resources at 𝗟𝗡𝗖𝘁𝗶𝗽𝘀.𝗰𝗼𝗺.

08/12/2026

𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗟𝗡𝗖 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲

Many new LNCs feel lost in the beginning, not because they lack ability, but because their map is unclear.

When experienced LNCs introduce themselves in a group, they lead with their LNC identity:

* “I’ve been an Independent LNC for six years.”

* “I work in a firm that specializes in long term care litigation.”

* “I’m an expert in renal dialysis cases.”

New LNCs introduce themselves completely differently. They talk about their clinical identity - medical surgical, critical care, mother-baby couplet care, and so on.

It’s not that new LNCs are confused about the work. Their questions come from the only professional world they’ve ever known: bedside nursing. They’re transitioning from the RN role they’ve mastered to the LNC role, which feels aspirational.

As nurses, they’re confident in their skills, which are validated by patient outcomes. When they step into legal nurse consulting, that certainty disappears. Suddenly, they’re trying to prove themselves in an unfamiliar world, eager to get clients, but quietly wondering if they can do the work.

And that matters. When you’re brand new to a specialty, you don’t know the norms, the vocabulary, or the expectations yet. You don’t know what’s “basic,” what’s “advanced,” or what questions have been answered a hundred times before. You’re simply asking for help the best way you know how.

That’s not a flaw. That’s the beginning of competence. Experienced LNCs sometimes forget how unfamiliar this field is to nurses who are just discovering it. The learning curve isn’t about intelligence. It’s about exposure. Until someone shows you the landscape, you don’t know where the landmarks are. This is why clarity matters. This is why patience matters. This is why mentorship or self-discovery matters.

When we make the profession easier to understand, new LNCs gain confidence faster. They ask better questions. They make better decisions. And the entire field benefits from a stronger, better prepared next generation.

Everyone starts somewhere. Our job as more experienced LNCs is to make “somewhere” a little easier to navigate.

See LNCtips.com for more information for new LNCs.

08/05/2026

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆 𝗟𝗡𝗖𝘀 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸

Most LNCs market on LinkedIn, and that’s smart. But there’s another place LNCs overlook: small firms with one or two attorneys in the practice area you want to support.

These firms are far less likely to have an in‑house LNC and far more likely to need outside support. And they’re not always active on LinkedIn, which means you have to know where and how to find them. According to the American Bar Association, there are about 1.32 million attorneys in the U.S., and while most have LinkedIn profiles, many small medical malpractice and personal injury firms rely more on referrals and local networks than social platforms. That’s why directories and targeted searches matter. They reveal the firms you won’t easily find on LinkedIn.

Here are the reliable ways to find the right firms:

𝟭. 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗹𝗲.𝗰𝗼𝗺

When I started, I used the Martindale‑Hubbell directory, in book form, at the library. I’d look up firms, check which attorneys handled medical malpractice, and focus my outreach on small firms (one–two attorneys). Today, the entire directory is online, and it’s still a useful resource.

You can’t search by number of attorneys anymore, but you can:

• Search by practice area (medical malpractice, personal injury, litigation, long‑term care, etc.)
• Click into each firm’s website from the Martindale listing
• Check the attorney roster to see how many handle the cases you want to support
• Prioritize firms with 1–2 attorneys in that area

It’s slower than a filtered search, but it’s accurate, and it reveals firms that may not show up on social platforms.

𝟮. 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗴𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗯𝘆 𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘆

You can search for:

• “medical malpractice attorney [city]”
• “personal injury firm [county]”
• “law firm [city] attorney profiles”
• “long‑term‑care firms with 1–2 attorneys [county]”

Then click through to firm websites and check how many attorneys handle the types of cases you want to support.

This works especially well in smaller markets where firms are not heavily indexed on LinkedIn.

𝟯. 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗿 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆

Some state bar associations let you search by practice area and provide the attorney’s website and email address. Others require the attorney’s name or return results that aren’t accurate for med‑mal, PI, LTC, or other practice areas. It’s hit or miss, but in states with good directories (Florida is one), it can be a helpful supplement to Martindale and Google.

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀

Targeting small firms with 1–2 attorneys gives you:

• A clear audience
• A manageable list
• Attorneys who actually need outside LNC support
• A marketing message that feels specific, not generic

Broad marketing feels safe, but targeted marketing gets traction.

See LNCtips.com for more information for new LNCs.

07/29/2026

𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝘄𝗼 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱𝘀: 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗮𝘄 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗟𝗡𝗖𝘀

Medicine and Law share patients, but almost nothing else, and that’s where LNCs come in. New LNCs quickly discover that the two systems operate on 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗵𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗺𝘀. Understanding those differences is essential to navigating your role with confidence.

In Medicine, patients enter the system at birth, leave at death, and interact with providers in between.

Some never encounter Law, but those who do enter a 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 that begins when a case is screened and ends when it closes. As an LNC, you’ll work with attorneys on 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰 𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘀, not directly with plaintiffs or defendants.

𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗮𝗹. Everyone works together for the best patient outcome.

𝗟𝗮𝘄 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹. Two sides compete, and one wins. As an LNC, you’ll help your attorney achieve the best outcome for their client.

𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗲 involves the entire healthcare team, often dozens of people.

𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗟𝗮𝘄 varies widely. Some attorneys work solo or with minimal staff. You’ll need to identify how your attorney prefers to communicate, verbally or in writing, frequently or briefly, and take initiative when needed.

𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗲𝗼𝘂𝘀; 𝗟𝗮𝘄 𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲.

Medicine treats patients as events unfold. Law reviews what already happened. You’ll know the outcome but must evaluate care based on 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁.

𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗲’𝘀 𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗮 𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 such as births, trauma, and death.

𝗟𝗮𝘄’𝘀 𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗮 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 and used to influence witnesses or juries. LNCs help prepare experts and witnesses by explaining these dynamics.

Understanding how Medicine and Law differ helps LNCs 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗮𝗽 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝘄𝗼.

See LNCtips.com for more resources for new LNCs.

07/22/2026

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗟𝗡𝗖𝘀 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗪𝗥𝗢𝗡𝗚

New LNCs often struggle with obstacles that aren’t real. They’re myths. These misconceptions circulate constantly, so let’s separate fact from fiction and give you a clearer path forward.

𝗠𝘆𝘁𝗵 𝟭: You must be certified to get started.

𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵: Certification is optional. Attorneys hire LNCs for clinical expertise, documentation analysis, pattern recognition, and clear communication. Your RN license and clinical background matter most.

𝗠𝘆𝘁𝗵 𝟮: You need nursing malpractice insurance.

𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵: LNCs don’t provide patient care. Business‑related risks may require insurance, but not malpractice coverage.

𝗠𝘆𝘁𝗵 𝟯: You must be licensed in the lawsuit’s state.

𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵: LNCs aren’t practicing nursing. Your RN license must be active and unencumbered, not tied to the state of the case, unless an attorney specifically requests it.

𝗠𝘆𝘁𝗵 𝟰: You can be an LNC without being an RN.

𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵: The LNC role is built on RN‑level education, judgment, documentation expertise, and scope of practice. LPNs/LVNs bring value, but most attorneys rely on RN analysis.

𝗠𝘆𝘁𝗵 𝟱: An encumbered license is fine.

𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵: Restrictions, monitoring, or disciplinary actions are major red flags. They affect credibility, employability, expert eligibility, attorney trust, and the LNCC credential.

𝗠𝘆𝘁𝗵 𝟲: You must offer every LNC service.

𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵: Start with core services - merit reviews, chronologies, summaries, identifying missing records, and deviations from standards of care. Expand later.

𝗠𝘆𝘁𝗵 𝟳: You should charge low rates until you ‘prove yourself.’

𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵: Rates depend on context. Subcontractors earn less because the contractor secures the client. For your own clients, charge competitively.

If you have an active, unencumbered RN license, solid clinical experience, and clear communication skills, you’re already positioned for success.

For more resources for new LNCs, see LNCtips.com.

07/15/2026

𝗔𝗜 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝘂𝗮𝗹𝘀: 𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆𝘀 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘅𝗶𝘁𝘆

AI visuals can be powerful tools for teaching complex ideas, especially when you’re explaining your services to attorneys. But not every image works. Some are cluttered, confusing, or just plain wrong for the message. That’s not a failure of technology; it’s a reminder that clarity still matters more than novelty.

I spent years creating very basic, very clean graphics - the “Eat at Joe’s” and “Parking in Rear” variety. Even though the work was simple, it trained my eye for clarity, spacing, and calm design. I still enjoy infographics and fun caricatures, but the visual restraint I’m talking about came from those clean, straightforward designs: saying only what needs to be said and leaving out anything that gets in the way.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻

When I first started experimenting with AI generated images, I realized that the tool would give you 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 - but not always the 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 thing. Without direction, it fills in the gaps with whatever it thinks you mean.

For LNCs, that means your visuals can either reinforce your professionalism or distract from it. The goal isn’t to impress with complexity; it’s to communicate one idea cleanly.

Attorneys hire clarity.

𝗠𝘆 “𝗨𝗻𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝘂𝗹𝗲𝘀” 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗜 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝘂𝗮𝗹𝘀

These guardrails help keep your images aligned with your message — and they work beautifully for LNC marketing too:

• 𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗮 - Focus on a single concept that instantly communicates your point.
• 𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁 - Guide the viewer’s eye so they know where to start.
• 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗲𝘅𝘁 - 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗲𝘅𝘁 – Use only the words that support your message. Make sure every word is legible at a glance; if someone has to squint, the design isn’t working.
• 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝗶𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵𝘆 - Show where to look first, next, and last.
• 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 - Remove anything that competes with clarity. Give your ideas room to breathe.

These aren’t design commandments - just practical ways to make sure your visuals look professional and feel like you.

AI can’t replace your judgment, but it can amplify your voice. When your image matches your message, attorneys notice. And when it doesn’t, you’ll know, because clarity always wins.

If you’re experimenting with AI visuals, don’t be afraid to say, “This isn’t working.” You’re not rejecting the tool; you’re refining it to reflect your expertise.

Simple is powerful.

Clarity is intentional.

See LNCtips.com for additional information for new LNCs.

07/08/2026

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗟𝗡𝗖 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀 𝗟𝗶𝗸𝗲

If your marketing only turns on when you need clients, you're starting over every time.

A healthy LNC business moves like a river. It's steady, consistent, and always flowing forward. A river doesn't turn itself on and off like a faucet. It doesn't start flowing only when it needs to. Even when the current is gentle, it keeps moving, and over time, that steady movement shapes its strength.

Many LNCs fall into a stop‑and‑go pattern: get a client, pause marketing, finish the client’s case, then start marketing again from a standstill. It’s exhausting, and it makes every new effort feel like pushing a boulder uphill. Rivers don’t work that way, and sustainable businesses don’t either.

And just like rivers, LNC businesses experience seasons.

𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗹𝗼𝘄

When a river has momentum, it can handle more. Heavy rain, snowmelt, or a burst dam may push it past its banks, but that overflow isn’t a failure. It’s a predictable part of the system. And when it happens, communities don’t expect the river to shrink itself. They 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁: levees, spillways, additional channels, people who know how to manage the extra volume.

LNC work is no different. When you keep your visibility and outreach flowing consistently, you’ll eventually hit seasons of overflow with several cases or clients arriving at once. That’s not a sign to stop the flow. It’s a sign to 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 by bringing in trusted colleagues, subcontractors, or specialists who can help you manage the surge.

𝗗𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁

But rivers also face drought, long stretches with little water coming in. In nature, drought isn’t random. It’s tied to conditions upstream.

In LNC work, drought almost always comes from the same source: 𝗮 𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴. When the flow stops for too long, the riverbed dries. Restarting becomes harder. Everything feels heavier than it should.

The solution isn’t to wait for rain. It’s to restore the flow.

Even a small, steady trickle of marketing, a post, a connection, a follow‑up, a conversation, keeps the river alive. It prevents the drought from taking hold. It keeps your business moving forward so that when the rain comes, you’re ready.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻

The problem isn’t overflow. The problem isn’t drought. The problem is trying to market a business like a faucet: on when you need clients or cases off when you’re busy.

Steady marketing movement builds momentum, the same principle I teach in my book for new LNCs building early traction. Momentum builds capacity. And capacity is what allows your business to rise, without losing its direction, when the water comes in fast.

See LNCtips.com for more resources for new LNCs.

07/01/2026

𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗟𝗡𝗖𝘀: 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝗶𝗿𝗲-𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆

Breaking into legal nurse consulting can feel like walking a tightrope - eager to learn, but unsure how to present yourself. Many of us start by asking for opportunities, but those messages can unintentionally blur the line between learning and contracting.

This is what I often see on social media posts:

“Hello! I’m a new LNC with Stepdown (complex cardiac patients) and OB experience. I just completed an LNC course and want to subcontract to get experience with cases. I’m looking for another LNC willing to train me. I’m a fast learner. Give me a chance, and I won’t disappoint you!”

The enthusiasm is real, but the messaging is mixed.

This LNC is essentially asking for two different roles at the same time:

* 𝗔 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗿 (where the 𝘯𝘦𝘸 LNC often pays the mentor), and
* 𝗔 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (where the 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘳 pays the LNC)

Those roles are not interchangeable. And when they’re blended together, the message becomes: “I’m new, I’m unsure, and I’m hoping someone will take a chance on me.”

The problem? The message centers on the 𝗟𝗡𝗖’𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀, not the 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗿’𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀. When an introduction focuses mainly on what the new LNC needs, it can unintentionally come across as uncertain — even when the person is fully capable.

Those who hire LNCs aren’t looking for someone to reassure or train. They’re looking for someone who can contribute value, handle overflow, meet deadlines, and communicate clearly. Confidence and professionalism matter just as much as clinical expertise.

𝗔 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗳𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝘁𝗼:

* What problems you solve
* What strengths from your clinical background apply
* What samples of your work product show readiness
* How you support accuracy, timeliness, and strategy

Here’s how to reframe your introduction so it speaks the language of employers: clarity, confidence, and value.

“I’m an experienced RN transitioning into LNC work with a strong background in complex Stepdown Cardiac and OB care. I provide organized, timely medical record review and case analysis, and I have sample work products available to demonstrate my workflow. If your firm needs dependable overflow support, I’d be glad to discuss how I can help.”

𝗦𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻. 𝗦𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲. 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻.

New LNCs don’t need to sound perfect. They just need to communicate from the employer’s perspective. Every consultant starts somewhere and learning how to present your value is part of that growth.

When you shift your message from “I need experience” to “Here’s how I can help your firm,” you’re not just changing words. You’re changing how employers see you. That’s the shift I teach in my book — moving from seeking experience to offering value.

See LNCtips.com for more new LNC resources.

06/24/2026

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗩𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲 𝗣𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼 𝗘𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘀

Photo chronologies are powerful tools in litigation, especially in medical malpractice, personal injury, and nursing home cases. By comparing images from before and after an alleged event, they show changes in condition, injury progression, or environmental factors. Their value, however, depends entirely on 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗮.

One of the most common, and most damaging, mistakes is relying on photos with incorrect dates. This can happen when a device’s date settings were wrong, when file system dates are misleading, or when clients misremember when images were taken. File system dates (Created/Modified/Accessed) are not reliable for evidentiary purposes. 𝗢𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝘂𝗻𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗘𝗫𝗜𝗙 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗢𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 (𝗬𝗬𝗬𝗬:𝗠𝗠:𝗗𝗗:𝗛𝗛:𝗠𝗠:𝗦𝗦) 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲.

That’s why verifying 𝗘𝗫𝗜𝗙 (𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗜𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁) data should be a standard step for every LNC, plaintiff or defense. EXIF metadata includes the original date and time the photo was taken, the device used, and sometimes whether editing occurred.

To locate EXIF data:

• On a PC: Right click the photo → Properties → Details tab.
• On a Mac: Right click the photo → Get Info → More Info.

Beyond confirming dates, identifying the 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 used to capture each image is essential. EXIF data reveals whether the photo came from a smartphone or standalone camera, along with the model and software version. If a client no longer has the device, compare other photos from the same timeframe to check for consistency in camera information. This helps validate the chronology and supports defensibility.

All original digital photos should be preserved on the firm’s computer or a flash drive as read only files. Plaintiff LNCs should ensure clients provide photos through secure cloud storage or a file transfer system. Screenshots, messaging apps, and emailed images strip or alter metadata, weakening evidentiary value. Photos should remain in their original formats, typically JPG or PNG. Avoid saving or printing them to PDF, as metadata is lost or replaced during conversion. Cloud platforms (Google Photos, iCloud) may also alter metadata on export 𝘂𝗻𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀 “𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗢𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹.”

For defense work, request 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗲 𝗱𝘂𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀

in JPEG or PNG format, ideally provided on a disk or USB flash drive. These formats maintain metadata integrity and allow for proper verification.

Accurate photo chronologies strengthen cases. Inaccurate ones create risk. By verifying metadata, preserving originals, and avoiding common pitfalls, LNCs help ensure that photo based evidence remains reliable, defensible, and useful in litigation.

See LNCtips.com for additional resources for new LNCs.

06/17/2026

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.

Katy Jones, MSN, RN - Legal Nurse Consultant

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