For years, multidistrict litigation (MDL) has been the go-to solution for efficiently managing large volumes of similar claims. Legal teams relied on the consolidated discovery process, coordinated case management, and centralized rulings to handle complex matters. However, recent trends indicate a shift: an increasing number of complex cases are proceeding in state courts rather than federal MDLs, specifically in torts cases.

This change influences both strategy and process for legal teams managing medical reviews. While MDLs provide an efficient framework for managing large groups of cases, single complex cases in state courts bring their own set of challenges. Even firms with experienced in-house nursing staff often find that partnering with specialized medical record review providers is not just a convenience, it’s increasingly strategic to meet the demands of these cases.

The Rise of Complex State Cases Outside MDLs

Single-state cases may involve fewer plaintiffs than a typical MDL, but the complexity of the medical evidence and the level of detail required for case evaluation can rival that of large-scale litigation. From reviewing decades of medical history to analyzing treatment patterns and causation, the work demands specialized expertise and substantial time.

This trend raises questions for legal teams: how should workflows adapt when a case cannot rely on the efficiencies of an MDL? How can teams maintain speed, accuracy, and insightful reporting without overloading internal resources?

When In-House Legal Nurses Need Support: Outsourcing Medical Analysis

In-house nurses play a critical role on legal teams by providing essential insight during medical record review and case assessment. Even experienced in-house nurses may face challenges when a case involves multi-specialty records, rare conditions, or extensive treatment histories.

In these situations, supplemental support from trusted medical record review partners can be invaluable. Outsourced medical analysis services offer specialized knowledge, scalable resources, and timely reporting, ensuring that even a single complex case is handled efficiently. By partnering with external medical review providers, legal teams can maintain quality and accuracy while allowing in-house staff to focus on strategy and core responsibilities.

Why Some Cases Require a Broader Team

• Volume and complexity of medical records: One plaintiff’s records may span decades, multiple specialties, and various facilities.
• Specialized medical expertise: Rare conditions, uncommon treatments, or multi-system injuries may require expertise beyond general nursing review.
• Detailed causation analysis: Creating clear, insightful reports for litigation or settlement depends on targeted review of medical data.
• Tight timelines: Legal strategy and discovery schedules leave little room for overloading internal teams.

Taken together, these considerations make outsourced medical review a proactive, strategic solution.

5 Benefits of Outsourcing Medical Analysis Services

Legal teams that engage specialized medical analysis providers gain several key advantages:

1. Scalability and Flexibility

Outsourced teams can scale up for a single complex case, ensuring that resources match case demands without permanently increasing headcount.

2. Access to Specialized Expertise

Providers often employ clinicians with backgrounds in multiple specialties, offering deep insight into rare or complex medical scenarios.

3. Faster Turnaround

Outsourcing allows for quicker organization, abstraction, and reporting of records, critical for meeting court deadlines or settlement timelines.

4. Cost Efficiency

Engaging external experts on a per-case basis avoids the expense of maintaining large internal teams for sporadic complex cases.

5. Analytical and High-Quality Reporting

Thoroughly prepared reports and medical summaries can strengthen your case strategy.

Practical Guidance for Legal Teams on Outsourced Medical Review

When evaluating the need for outsourced medical review, consider:

Case Complexity
Are there multi-specialty records, rare conditions, or extensive histories?

Internal Bandwidth
Can your in-house nurses handle the workload without compromising quality or timelines?

Expertise Gap
Does the case require specialty knowledge beyond the internal team’s experience?

Timing
Are there critical deadlines that require rapid, thorough analysis?

Integration
Can outsourced services be seamlessly incorporated into existing workflows for efficiency and quality?

Selecting a partner with experience in complex single-case reviews ensures your legal team can focus on strategy while maintaining confidence in the quality of medical analysis.

Strengthen Your Case with Expert Medical Review

Navigating complex cases in state courts doesn’t have to strain your in-house team. By leveraging specialized medical analysis services, legal teams can access the experience, speed, and analytical reporting needed to handle complex cases efficiently.

Do you have a complex case to discuss? Partner with us today and keep your team focused on strategy while we manage the medical analysis.