Who could have imagined during our lifetime that we would live to see the emergence of a pandemic of such a global magnitude, named Covid-19. As a Nurse Case Manager and a Certified Legal Nurse Consultant in an acute care hospital, I found myself on the front lines defending against this disease. What was so frightening at the time was the fluctuating rules and regulations constantly changing literally minute to minute as we took what we already knew about viruses and infection and tried to apply it to what was foreign to all of us and even as it seemed to the viral experts of the world as well.
Millions of health care workers were told on day one not to wear a mask, “You will frighten patients and visitors!” It did not take long before masks became mandatory, some wearing two masks for safe measure.
Potential Covid-19 Lawsuits
We are now seeing an emergence of Covid-19 related lawsuits. This new and emerging litigation will now speak loudly for those who were unable to at the time. This litigation could conceivably last a decade or more and will touch every specialty of law.
- Medical Malpractice
- General Negligence
- Products Liability
- Workers Compensation
- Workplace Safety
- Intentional Torts
- Criminal
How a Certified Legal Nurse Consultant can assist with COVID-19 cases
As a Certified Legal Nurse Consultant, I can play a pivotal role to you the attorney by educating about COVID-19 pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment protocols, risks and complications of treatment and prognosis.
It is of utmost importance to the attorney for the CLNC, to focus on the four legal elements, duty, breach of duty, damages and causation in medical malpractice cases. In non-medical malpractice cases, the CLNC focuses primarily on damages and causation.
As a CLNC I can provide the following services that apply to Covid-19 lawsuits.
- Screen Cases for Merit
- Define the Applicable Standards of Care
- Define Deviations from, and Adherences to, the Applicable Standards of Care
- Assess the Alleged Damages and/or Injuries
- Identify Factors that Caused or Contributed to the alleged Damages and/or Injuries
- Summarize, Translate and Interpret Medical Records
- Identify and Recommend Potential Defendants
- Conduct Literature Searches and Integrate the Research and Standards/Guidelines into the Case Analysis
- Identify and Review Relevant Medical Records, Policies and Procedures and Other Essential Documents and Tangible Items
- Interview Clients, Key Witnesses and Experts
- Identify and Locate Testifying Experts
- Prepare Interrogatories
- Assist in Exhibit Preparation
- Prepare Deposition and Trial Questions
- Review, Analyze and Summarize Depositions
- Attend Depositions, Trials, Review Panels and Arbitration and Medication Hearings
- Help Prepare Witnesses and Experts for Deposition and Trial
- Develop Written Reports for Use as Study Tools by the Attorney
- Coordinate and Attend Independent Medical Examinations (IMEs)
- Develop Life Care Plans
- Coordinate and Assist in Facilitating Focus Groups and Mock Trials
Frontline COVID-19 Experience
I have three decades of clinical nursing, case management, emergency services experience in every specialty. I have reviewed thousands of medical records in every specialty which qualifies me to quickly screen cases, identify key issues, define and research applicable standards and develop case reports for Covid -19 cases. I am currently active in the acute care setting making my interface with the healthcare system relevant and beneficial to you, the attorney.
I can save you time and money as I have access to RNs and MDs who were on the frontlines of the Covid-19 pandemic and who are willing to serve as testifying experts.
Trial No Error
We will review your case so you can proceed with absolute confidence
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Corona Virus-2 – What’s in a name?
What’s in a name?? There are different processes, and purposes, for naming viruses and diseases.
Viruses are named based on their genetic structure to facilitate the development of diagnostic tests vaccines and medicines. Virologists and the wider scientific community do this work, so viruses are named by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV).
Diseases are named to enable discussion on disease prevention, spread, transmissibility severity and treatment. Human disease preparedness and response is World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) role, so diseases are officially named by WHO in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD).
ICTV announced “severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)” as the name of the new virus on 11 February 2020. This name was chosen because the virus is genetically related to the coronavirus responsible for the SARS outbreak of 2003. While related, the two viruses are different.
WHO announced “COVID-19” as the name of this new disease on 11 February 2020, following guidelines previously developed with the World Organization for Animal Health (OAH) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
How a CLNC saved one attorney time & money
A case assessment can prevent you going to trial based on misinterpreted evidence