Legal nurse consultants in Pennsylvania
License-verified nurses for Pennsylvania medical malpractice and nursing home cases: chronologies, merit screening, standard of care review and expert testimony. Below: the Pennsylvania rules that shape when you need a nurse's review and who can give the opinion.
- Limitations
- 2 years, 7-year repose
- Before or at filing
- Certificate of merit in 60 days
- Damage caps
- No compensatory cap
Pennsylvania medical malpractice: what to know before retaining a nurse
What is the statute of limitations for medical malpractice in Pennsylvania?
Two years from when the injury was or reasonably should have been discovered (42 Pa.C.S. § 5524), with a seven-year statute of repose from the act under MCARE (40 P.S. § 1303.513) and exceptions for foreign objects and minors.
What must be done before or when filing a medical malpractice case in Pennsylvania?
Within 60 days of filing the complaint, a certificate of merit stating that an appropriate licensed professional has given a written statement that the care fell outside acceptable professional standards and caused the harm (Pa.R.C.P. 1042.3).
Who can give the expert opinion in Pennsylvania?
Against physicians, MCARE requires the expert to be licensed, in active clinical practice or teaching within the last five years, and substantially familiar with the standard of care (40 P.S. § 1303.512). Against nurses and facilities, the general rules on expert qualification apply.
Does Pennsylvania cap medical malpractice damages?
No cap on compensatory damages; the state constitution bars one. Punitive damages against an individual provider are limited to twice the compensatory damages (40 P.S. § 1303.505).
Are nursing home cases different in Pennsylvania?
Nursing homes can be directly liable for their own systems and staffing under the corporate negligence doctrine (Scampone v. Highland Park Care Center, 2012), which makes nursing review of staffing, policies and care plans central to many cases.
Since January 1, 2023, medical malpractice cases may be filed in any county where venue is otherwise proper, not only where the care was given, after the Supreme Court rescinded Pa.R.C.P. 1006(a.1).
Checked October 2026. General information for attorneys, not legal advice: statutes change and every rule above has exceptions, so confirm current law for your case.
Consultants for Pennsylvania cases
Consultants licensed in Pennsylvania review cases privately. Post a brief, say the expert should hold a Pennsylvania license, and the ones who match will see it first.
Post a redacted brief, match with Pennsylvania nurses
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