| A legal nurse consultant (LNC) is a registered nurse | | | | positive outcomes for clients and attorneys. |
| with specialized training in matters of law. LNCs are | | | | The job and salary outlook for LNCs in New York |
| invaluable assets to attorneys because LNCs can | | | | State divides neatly into two geographical areas - |
| interpret medical records and provide expert opinions. | | | | New York City metropolitan and nearby suburbs and |
| These expert opinions can be wide-ranging but are | | | | upstate areas centering on cities like Buffalo, Albany, |
| only a small part of the array of skills a LNC brings to | | | | Syracuse and Binghamton. While LNCs are in demand |
| the legal process. Legal nurse consultants often | | | | in all these areas, the salaries can vary substantially. |
| partner with attorneys in personal injury and medical | | | | Here are some examples of annual salaries in New |
| malpractice cases. Their knowledge helps attorneys | | | | York State for LNCs: |
| build sound cases for their clients. Besides reviewing | | | | Albany - 64,000.00 |
| medical records, LNCs can evaluate and prepare | | | | Binghamton - 66,000.00 |
| expert witness testimony, conduct medically oriented | | | | Buffalo - 58.000.00 |
| research and even testify at trial if necessary. | | | | New York City - 89,000.00 |
| While working with attorneys is the mainstay of an | | | | While the salary in New York City may seem |
| LNC's career, private corporations and insurance | | | | attractive, remember that New York State ranks |
| companies can also seek their services. LNCs also find | | | | among the top 10 in highest cost of living, most |
| work as consultants to government entities, both | | | | expensive housing and most expensive cost of food. |
| state and local, that are seeking to identify and | | | | Property and sales taxes are particularly high. With a |
| reduce risk and avoid litigation. Regardless of the | | | | median property tax of over $3000.00 per year, New |
| setting, LNCs earn highly competitive fees and | | | | York State's property taxes are the 4th highest in |
| salaries. One of the most important services provided | | | | the United States. Wikipedia notes that New York |
| by LNCs constructing a time line for the case that | | | | State has a 4% state sales tax and that all counties |
| highlights both medical and legal milestones or issues. | | | | and some cities add local taxes ranging from 3% to |
| A time line identifies critical events in a case, putting | | | | 4.75%. The combined sales tax in Utica, for example, |
| them in a structured yet easy-to-understand format | | | | is 8.75%. In New York City, total sales tax is 8.375%. |
| for judges, juries and other attorneys. The expertise | | | | Even Buffalo, an area with a depressed economy, |
| of LNCs often helps prevent litigation failure and wins | | | | has a sales tax rate of 8.75%. |