Who do you consult for?

A: Butler Associates offers its services primarily to attorneys and professional liability insurers. We have also served other types of insurers, such as workman’s comp and group health insurers, as well as government agencies, and healthcare practices. We offer a valuable resource wherever healthcare expertise and an insider’s knowledge of medical complexities are needed.

I have a client who is possibly the victim of malpractice. What can your Case Screening service
do to help me?

A: First Butler Associates Case Screening helps you identify and decipher all available evidence from the treatment facility. This includes patient history, diagnostic tests, treatment records, Emergency Medical Services response records, emergency department records, charts, electronic monitoring logs, and all associated medical bills. We review this information carefully looking for merit. We identify breach of duty. We are especially watchful for gaps and inconsistencies in the record, and evidence of tampering. We point out variations from accepted Standards of Care and Standards of Practice. We apply our insider’s knowledge of medical, nursing and health-related matters to detect substandard treatment, and identify potential defendants.

What if my client or insured is the defendant?

A:We follow an identical process. We always examine both sides of the dispute. Not every negative outcome is evidence of malpractice. A healthcare professional’s best defense against unwarranted accusations is evidence in the record that the patient received proper care, and that reasonable standards of treatment were followed.

After Case Screening, how can you help me prepare
my case?

A: Butler Associates will work as closely with you as you like. We offer a comprehensive tutorial of the specific medical issues involved in your case. We’ll interview clients, medical professionals, administrators, witnesses, and potential expert witnesses along with you. We’ll assist in laying out the case. We’ll help you prepare or respond to interrogatories. We’ll sit in on depositions and evaluate the opposition’s responses. We will attend trials, review panels, arbitration and mediation hearings as you request. In short, we’ll serve as your medically astute right arm in preparing your case and throughout the litigation process.

How qualified are your experts?

A: Each of our Legal Nurse Consultants is a licensed, registered medical professional with a strong educational and experiential background. Each is carefully selected by us for their ability to evaluate, analyze and render informed opinions about the delivery of healthcare and medical-related issues. At Butler Associates, we are careful to match the skills of the professional assigned to your case with the requirements of the case.

What about cost? Is your work guaranteed?

A: Our fees are extremely cost efficient. Compared to physician consultants, the cost of Butler Associates services is far less. Yet in many cases, we are actually more familiar with real world treatment practices. Your satisfaction is our primary goal. Should our work not meet your expectations, we will promptly amend it to your satisfaction, or provide a full refund.

Do you replace the need for physician level expertise?

A: Our role is preparatory. Our services can lay the groundwork for and identify any higher level experts who may prove valuable in your case. By so doing, Butler Associates can vastly reduce the overall involvement and expense of additional experts.

What are your credentials?

A: We at Butler Associates are Certified Legal Nurse Consultants with over 30 years of clinical and medical - legal consulting experience. We are certified in Maryland, Delaware, and other states. We are active members in good standing of:

• The American Association of Critical Care Nurses
• The American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants
• The American Nurses Association
• The National Alliance of Certified Legal Nurse Consultants

What should I do to get started?

A: Call, fax, write or email Pam Butler, President of Butler-Van Pelt Associates. Pam will be delighted to offer a free 30 minute consultation on your case.

What areas do you service?

A: We service the following areas:

• Washington, D.C.
• Baltimore, Maryland
• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Wilmington, Delaware
• Delmarva Region
• Many other states, nationwide