My only statement to this lengthy discussion is, is having been an RN for several years and having worked with LPNs, which would be along the same lines as the attorney to the lay abstractor. You can't buy experience and the know how. You can learn a lot out of the books and do well on boards, but when it comes down to it, even the best student may just not get it when he's in the real world. I would take a lot of LPNs as my nurse over an RN any day of the week. I have also seen many brilliant abstractors and some real moronic attorneys. In some way I believe Robert was saying the same thing. In my earlier days of being a nurse, I had to instruct a 3rd year resident on what to use on a pt's dobhoff, (small feeding tube). He wanted me to use Streptokynase, which is a blood thinner to unclog it. I suggested a warm Coke; he agreed. See how that works though, there are many levels of education, but you work through them together and learn from your mistakes to be a stronger person the next time. So instead of using an abstractors mistake as a means to fire him, use it as a learning tool for the next time. Keep them on probation for a while and have an experienced abstractor go over their stuff with them. If they're willing to do this, then they may become one of your valuable assets; a good employee.