As more physicians explore med-legal consulting, one of the biggest changes is learning to see the work through a different lens than clinical practice.
Med-legal consulting often refers to internal-use consulting, where physicians are engaged not to testify or produce admissible reports, but to provide internal opinions that help legal or claims teams shape strategy. These cases might involve medical malpractice, personal injury, auto claims, or workers’ compensation disputes. Your opinion isn’t entered into evidence—it’s used to assess exposure and guide critical decisions on whether to litigate, settle, or change course.
Many physicians approach these engagements like clinic work, basing their rates on patient care fees. But the stakes aren’t $50,000—they’re often $500,000 or more. The hiring party isn’t paying just for your time, but for your judgment, your ability to distill complex information, and your skill in communicating risk. Your rate should reflect that value.
Mindset Shifts for Physicians Considering This Work
- You’re a strategist. Your role is to guide high-stakes decisions.
- Clarity is the product. A precise, defensible opinion can outweigh hours of exhaustive review.
- Credibility is currency. You’re trusted because you give honest, defensible opinions—even when they’re uncomfortable.
- Understand the stakes. Your insight can alter the trajectory of a case.
Key Takeaways
- Don’t default to your clinical rate—this is strategic consulting.
- Anchor your fee to the value of the opinion.
- Remember the stakes: you’re weighing in on cases with significant financial and legal exposure.
- Your credibility matters—you’re there to help the team see clearly, not to take sides.
- This work is built on trust. If your insight helps avoid a costly mistake or leads to a stronger position, your approach—and your compensation—should reflect that.
In this niche, experienced physicians often charge $500–$1,000+ per hour—not because of the clock, but because of the weight of the opinion and the cost of getting it wrong.