Courtesy Barber Medical Legal Nurse Consulting LLC
By Ann Donnelly
In the complex world of medical legal cases, having an expert who understands the nuances of both the medical and legal fields is invaluable. Dr. Carrie Barber, founder and principal medical legal consultant of Barber Medical Legal Nurse Consulting, LLC, brings a unique and powerful perspective to this specialized area. With 25 years of nursing experience and a wealth of qualifications, including a Doctorate of Nursing Practice and certification as a nurse midwife, which she passionately still practices, Barber has carved out a niche that blends her extensive clinical knowledge with risk management expertise.
Barber’s journey began with a deep commitment to women’s healthcare, working in labor and delivery and serving as a nursing professor. However, her move into independent consulting in September 2021 allowed her to leverage her varied experience. “My previous work roles have been the milestones that have taken me to this point in my career where I have been able to develop an independent and dependent medical legal consulting practice,” Barber explains.
Her ability to view cases from multiple angles—medical, nursing, and hospital administration—makes her an exceptionally valuable asset to her clients. This comprehensive understanding allows her to provide in-depth analysis and support in complex cases, particularly those involving maternal, neonatal, and fetal birth injuries and wrongful death.
Transitioning from hospital administration and academia to entrepreneurship presented its challenges. Barber candidly admits, “I was naive to the ongoing marketing and networking and the need for just constant efforts to connect with potential clients.” However, she quickly learned the importance of persistence and networking, dedicating specific days to marketing and networking. LinkedIn has also proven to be a valuable platform for her, connecting her with clients nationwide.
Barber tailors services to meet the specific needs of her clients, primarily plaintiff and defense attorneys, insurance companies, hospital organizations, and government agencies. She offers a range of services, including merit reviews, case development, deposition question preparation, trial preparation, and literature searches. She brings her extensive clinical expertise to the courtroom when retained as a testifying expert.
One of the most surprising aspects of her work is the level of appreciation she receives from her clients. According to Barber, “I find that the clients that utilize my medical legal consulting service are so appreciative of my work, and they are grateful, and they communicate their gratitude,” she says. In the fast-paced clinical setting of delivery rooms, such expressions of gratitude are less frequent.
Recently, Barber Medical Legal Nurse Consulting has expanded its services to include accredited continuing education. Recognizing the need for legal teams to understand the medical complexities of their cases, Barber offers educational sessions tailored to specific case themes.
“It’s important to make sure that all members of the legal team involved are educated and informed on the standards of care so that they can go into these cases having a baseline understanding of standards specific to perinatal care delivery,” Barber explains. She also hopes that hospital organizations will utilize her services to proactively reduce the risk of litigation.
While her clients are primarily based in New York State, Barber’s services extend nationwide. Her expertise is particularly valuable in birth injury litigation, a highly complex niche involving both mother and child. “It’s crucial to have a birth injury medical legal consultant on your team as early as possible in the beginning stages of case identification and development,” she emphasizes.
Looking to the future, Barber aims to focus on growing her continuing education program and expanding her outreach. She envisions offering more in-person sessions to legal teams and hospital organizations.
Dr. Carrie Barber’s unique blend of medical and legal expertise makes her an invaluable asset to her clients, bridging the gap between two complex worlds and providing essential support in challenging cases. Her dedication to transparency and availability ensures timely responses and personalized service.
For those interested in working with Barber, the best way to connect is via email at contact@barbermedicallegalnurse.com or through her website, www.barbermedicallegalnurse.com, where more information on her services is available.