Merit Assessment for Case Viability

As a Forensic Legal Nurse Consultant, I provide a preliminary review of cases for merit. This review acts to triage cases for medical validity based on a claim, allowing the attorney to identify whether or not they have a case.

How I Conduct a Merit Review

*Medical Record Review
I review the available medical records to identify potential deviations from the standard of care, evaluate the patient’s outcome, and conduct a preliminary causation analysis to determine whether the outcome may be related to the care provided.
 
*Narrative Summary
I prepare a concise narrative summary outlining the key facts of the case, including relevant dates, providers involved, and the sequence of clinical events. This summary highlights potential strengths, weaknesses, and issues that may influence case strategy.
 
*Recommendations
Based on the findings, I provide a clear recommendation regarding whether the case warrants further review, expert involvement, or additional investigation.
 
*Report
I prepare a 3–5-page report detailing my analysis of the standard of care, the patient’s outcome, and any potential causal relationship between the two. The report includes the narrative summary and my recommendation. Typical turnaround time is 4–9 business days, with extended timelines possible for high‑volume or complex records. An oral report can also be provided when preferred.