Course Description
| Course Title: |
Selected Personal Injuries
Issues |
| Course Number: |
PA 2212 |
| Credits: |
2 semester credits |
| Prerequisites: |
PA - Introduction to Law and Contracts |
| Recommendations: |
This course requires the knowledge of legal
analysis, the ability to do light legal research based on directions
provided by the instructor, and the aptitude to learn how to draft
pleadings or legal documents.
|
| Catalog Description: |
Examines selected major issues and themes in civil
litigation involving personal injuries and wrongful death, with
primary emphasis on negligence and medical malpractice. Significant
case law, statutes, rules, procedures, and evidentiary principles
will be covered. |
| Outcomes: |
Students will be able to:
- Demonstrate, interpret and analyze basic common law, statutes,
and rules relating to personal injury litigation.
- Perform and evaluate practical tasks a paralegal handles in a
personal injury case including legal research, investigation, and
trial preparation.
- Explain the basics of a) the trial process, b) the burden of
proof, c) negligence law, and d) procedural considerations.
- Explain, interpret and analyze the law as it relates to specific
negligence cases, Minnesota statutory tort reforms, and the appeals
process available to the loser.
- Review, analyze and evaluate a general understanding of medical
malpractice and malpractice of other professionals.
- Explain and interpret the basic law of automobile liability,
premises liability, liquor liability, and products liability.
- Write a short memorandum as part of handling personal injury
cases.
- Draft, review and revise specific discovery documents in a
personal injury case.
|
| Topics Covered: |
- Introduction Lecture, Definitions and the Courts (2 Hours)
- Client Interview; Review Interview Summary; Questionnaire, Docket
Sheet, and Retainer Agreements
(2 Hours)
- Read Introduction Letter and Turn Down Letter – Lecture on
Documentation
of Files and Legal Malpractice (2 Hours)
- Review all Authorizations and Releases, Medical Narrative Report
Request Letter, and Medical Records Request Letter –b Lecture on Interaction and
Dealing with Doctors and Governmental Agencies including Police (2 Hours)
- Review No-Fault and How it Works – Lecture on No-Fault Insurance
Issues
(2 Hours)
- Review Letter on Adverse Medical Examination, Letter of
Protection and Doctor’s Lien (2 Hours)
- Read Dram Shop Notice – Lecture on Liquor Liability (2 Hours)
- Review Examples of Pleadings, i.e. Summons, Complaint and
Acceptance of Service
Lecture on Introductory Pleadings (Summons and Complaint,
Answers, Answers & Counterclaims)
(2 Hours)
- Review Discovery and Depositions-Lecture concerning Discovery;
Sample Summons and Complaint Due for Project (2 Hours)
- Lecture on Depositions and Additional Discovery; Request for Production of Documents; Review Motions on Personal
Injury Issues (2 Hours)
- Review Statement of the Case and Proposed Jury Instructions- Lecture on Drafting Statement of Case and Jury Instructions.
Discovery i.e. -Interrogatories, Request for Admissions, and Request for Production of Documents Due
(2 Hours)
- Video on Preparation for Trial (2 Hours)
- Lecture on Case Outline: Review Plaintiff Exhibit List (2 Hours)
- Video on Final Argument – Lecture on Releases and SettlementsFact Brief, Outline of Case Due
(2 Hours)
- Lecture on Alternatives to Litigation and Preparation for
Arbitration – Review for Final Examination (2 Hours)
- Final Written Examination (2 Hours)
Total Semester Hours: 32 Hours |
| Course Objectives: |
To acquaint the paralegal student with personal
injury litigation beginning with client interviews, retainer
agreements, setting up a case file, including but not limited to,
correspondence with doctors, governmental agencies and employers.
The student will also prepare for a lawsuit including the drafting
of summons, complaints, answers, and counterclaims.
|
| Outcomes Measures: |
The student may take or be assigned memorandum
writing, drafting sample pleadings, discovery documents, fact
gathering exercises, briefs, case outlines, reading assignments, and
exam(s). Class attendance and participation is encouraged or
required. The final grade will be a letter grade (A-F). |
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