Evaluating Wrongful Death Claims: What Medical Records Reveal
Wrongful death claims are among the most high-stakes and emotionally charged cases attorneys face. Families want justice—and law firms must determine whether negligence or a deviation from the standard of care directly caused a preventable death.
But the answers are rarely found in witness statements alone. They’re hidden in the medical records.
At Lexcura Summit Medical-Legal Consulting, our legal nurse consultants (LNCs) specialize in reviewing medical documentation to reveal what truly happened in the days, hours, or minutes leading up to a patient’s death. Here’s how we help attorneys evaluate the merit of a wrongful death claim—and build a solid foundation for litigation or settlement.
⚖️ The Role of Medical Records in Wrongful Death Cases
Medical records are the most objective account of a person’s final care. When reviewed correctly, they can uncover:
Missed warning signs
Delayed diagnoses
Improper medication administration
Failure to escalate care
Inconsistent or altered documentation
Violations of facility policies or clinical standards
📌 The key is knowing where to look—and how to connect the timeline of care to the alleged negligence.
📂 Common Case Types That Require Record Review
Wrongful death claims often stem from:
Missed strokes, heart attacks, or sepsis
Surgical complications
Medication errors or overdoses
Nursing home neglect (e.g., dehydration, pressure ulcers, infections)
Delayed emergency care
Failure to monitor high-risk patients (e.g., suicide, post-op, ICU)
Each scenario involves different documentation types and standards of care, which must be analyzed with clinical precision.
👩⚕️ How Lexcura Summit Evaluates Medical Records in Wrongful Death Cases
✅ 1. Create a Detailed Medical Chronology
Our LNCs review all available documentation—including ER records, nursing notes, provider orders, laboratory results, and vital signs—to build a comprehensive timeline of care.
This helps attorneys see:
When symptoms were first documented
What assessments or tests were performed
When providers were notified of changes
What interventions were ordered—and when
The chain of events leading to the patient’s deterioration and death
📌 These timelines are often the cornerstone of proving or defending liability.
✅ 2. Identify Deviations from the Standard of Care
Once the timeline is built, we assess whether providers followed:
National clinical guidelines
Hospital policies and protocols
Reasonable standards are expected for the patient's condition
Examples of deviations may include:
Failure to recognize abnormal vital signs
Delays in ordering labs, imaging, or consultations
Incomplete monitoring or documentation
Inadequate communication between staff
✅ If these failures contributed to the patient's decline, they may support a wrongful death claim.
✅ 3. Evaluate Documentation Integrity
Medical records are not always complete or accurate. We look for:
Late entries or backdating
Cloned notes with no clinical updates
Missing documentation during critical time periods
Inconsistent provider statements
📁 These red flags may suggest negligence—or even an attempt to obscure it.
✅ 4. Analyze Causation and Medical Probability
Not every poor outcome is malpractice. Our consultants help attorneys determine:
Whether the alleged failure likely caused or accelerated the death
If earlier intervention could have changed the outcome
Whether the patient had underlying conditions that limit liability
📌 This objective insight is key in valuing the case and preparing for expert witness review.
✅ 5. Support Deposition and Trial Preparation
We also assist attorneys by:
Preparing case summaries for expert review
Helping formulate deposition questions for nurses and physicians
Creating jury-ready visuals and timelines
Assisting in rebutting the defense’s standard-of-care arguments
🛡️ Why Lexcura Summit Is the Go-To Partner for Wrongful Death Case Reviews
Over 200 licensed medical professionals with diverse specialties
HIPAA-compliant systems and secure digital portals
7-day turnaround on most case reviews
Experience in hospital, nursing home, and emergency room claims
Trusted by plaintiff and defense attorneys nationwide
Final Thoughts
Wrongful death claims depend on more than sympathy—they require solid clinical evidence and expert analysis. Medical records, when reviewed correctly, can expose the truth behind a tragic outcome.
At Lexcura Summit, we help law firms uncover liability, clarify causation, and build stronger, fact-based cases for the families they represent.
📞 Contact Lexcura Summit Medical-Legal Consulting today to evaluate your next wrongful death case with precision and compassion.
www.lexcura-summit.com or Tel: 352-703-0703
