Core Curriculum for Legal Nurse Consulting^® Textbook

The Core Curriculum for Legal Nurse Consulting^® textbook by Vickie L. Milazzo RN, MSN, JD is the basis for and is included with all CLNC^® Success Systems. Its 696-pages set the standard for comprehensive, professional training in the legal nurse consulting field. This authoritative textbook contains the body of knowledge you must master to receive the CLNC^® Certification. Taught by the pioneer of legal nurse consulting, the CLNC^® Certification Program gives you the essential foundation for your CLNC^® practice.

CLNC® Certification Process What Is Certification? Benefits of CLNC® Certification The CLNC® Certification Examination Recertification

Module 1 – The Role of the Certified Legal Nurse Consultant^CM

1. Seven Types of Cases on Which Certified Legal Nurse Consultants^CM Are Qualified to Consult
2. Distinctions Between the Testifying Expert and the Consulting Expert
3. Scope of Practice of the CLNC^® Consultant
4. Innovative Career Opportunities for Independent or In-House CLNC^® Consultants
5. Innovative Career Opportunities for Part-Time or Full-Time CLNC^® Consultants

Module 2 – The Litigation Process

1. The Pre-Litigation Phase of a Lawsuit
2. Notice Letters
3. Filing the Suit
4. Motions and Pretrial Hearings
5. Discovery
6. Pretrial Conference
7. Mock Trial
8. Peace Negotiations – ADR
9. Trial Preparation
10. Trial
11. Cleaning Up Afterwards – Posttrial Maneuvers
12. The Last Encore – Appeal
13. Variables Affecting Who Wins
14. Class Action Lawsuits
15. Tort Reform
16. Conclusion

Litigation Process Timeline

Module 3 – Theories of Liability and Defenses Used in Medical-Related Cases

1. Intentional Tort
2. Negligence
3. Strict Liability
4. Implied Warranties of Merchantability and Fitness
5. Representation

Module 4 – Anatomy of Personal Injury, Products Liability, Toxic Tort and
Workers' Compensation Cases

1. Products Liability
2. Toxic Tort Cases
3. Work-Related Injuries
4. General Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice

Module 5 – How to Screen Medical-Related Cases Effectively and Efficiently

1. Introduction
2. Persons Who Screen Medical-Related Cases
3. Factors That Affect Initial Screening Opinions of Attorneys and Insurance Companies
4. What the Certified Legal Nurse Consultant^CM Needs to Screen a Case
5. Potential Defendants
6. Principles of Screening
7. Case Screening Form
8. How to Use the Screening Form
9. Model for Communicating the Screening Opinion
10. Plaintiff Alert Situations
11. Cases Plaintiff Attorneys Frequently Reject
12. Case Evaluation Workshop

Module 6 – Comprehensive Case Evaluation Strategies and
Report Writing Techniques

1. 18 Steps for Evaluating Medical-Related Cases Effectively
2. Introduction to Report Writing
3. Fresh Design Approaches for Brief and Comprehensive Reports
4. Components of the Client-Pleasing Report
5. Principles of Report Writing
6. Categories of Common Plaintiff Allegations Used in Medical Malpractice Cases

Module 7 – How to Detect Tampering in a Medical Record

1. Purpose of the Medical Record in the Courtroom
2. Persons Who Can Detect Tampering
3. Implications of Tampering
4. Tampering Alert Signals
5. Tampering Detection Techniques
6. What to Do if You Suspect Tampering
7. The Role of the Forensic Document Examiner
8. Working Effectively with the Forensic Document Examiner
9. The Forensic Document Examiner's Tools and Techniques
10. The Tort of Intentional Spoliation

Module 8 – How to Research Medical-Related Cases

1. Getting Started – The Basics
2. Selecting the Best Source of Information
3. How to Create a Search Strategy
4. Database Selection
5. Database Vendors and Selection
6. Information Brokers
7. Document Delivery
8. Citing Literature and Internet References in Reports
9. The Internet and Internet Services

Module 9 – Standards of Care

1. Defining Standards of Care – What They Are and Why They Are Used
2. Sources Indicative of Standards of Care
3. Obtaining Standards and Guidelines
4. Using Standards of Care in the Courtroom
5. Implications of Standards for Plaintiff and Defense Clients
6. Common Defenses Related to SOC
7. Analyzing Policies and Procedures of the Defendant Healthcare Facility

Module 10 – The Role of the Certified Legal Nurse Consultant^CM in
Managed Care Litigation

1. Introduction
2. Legal Theories of Liability
3. Legal Defenses Asserted by MCOs
4. Potential Defendants
5. Accreditation of MCOs
6. Implications for Certified Legal Nurse Consultants^CM
7. Case Evaluation Workshop

Managed Care Glossary

Module 11 – Helping Attorneys with Discovery

1. Guidelines for Drafting Discovery
2. Types of Interrogatories Directed to Defendants
3. Types of Requests for Production Directed to Defendants
4. Types of Interrogatories Directed to Plaintiffs
5. Types of Requests for Production Directed to Plaintiffs

Module 12 – Helping Attorneys Develop Demonstrative Evidence

1. Definitions
2. Purpose of Demonstrative Evidence
3. Media Used for Demonstrative Evidence
4. Principles of Conceptualizing and Developing Demonstrative Evidence
5. Working with a Graphics Consultant
6. Admissibility of Demonstrative Evidence

Module 13 – The Role of the Nurse as a Testifying Expert

1. The Expanding Role of the Expert
2. Who Testifies and Why
3. Getting Hired as a TE
4. Communicating Skillfully with Your Attorney-Client
5. Preparing for Deposition and Trial
6. Your Testifying Experience
7. Admissibility of Scientific Evidence
8. Powerful Testifying Strategies for Testifying Experts and Nurse Witnesses
9. More Powerful Testifying Strategies for Testifying Experts

Module 14 – Locating and Working with Testifying Experts

1. Benefits to the Legal Community
2. Sources for Locating Testifying Experts
3. Brokering Testifying Experts for Law Firms
4. Working Effectively with Testifying Experts
5. Assessing Qualifications of Potential Testifying Experts
6. Types of Testifying Experts Used in Medical-Related Cases
7. Fees for Locating Expert Witnesses

Module 15 – How to Formulate and Negotiate Contracts

1. Contracts
2. The Seven Major Parts of a Contract
3. Contract Negotiation Strategies
4. Contract Drafting Strategies

Index to Sample Contracts and Letter Agreements

Module 16 – Legal and Ethical Issues

1. Liability Issues
2. Conflicts of Interest
3. Confidentiality

Module 17 – Developing a Marketing Strategy

1. Four Elements of Effective Marketing
2. Plan in Advance for Your Success
3. Build Good Client Relationships by Committing to Quality, Excellence and Service
4. Create and Project a Winning Image
5. Compete Effectively with Other Legal Nurse Consultants
6. Competitive Strategies
7. Marketing Resources

Module 18 – Successful Interview Techniques

1. Self-Assessment
2. Be Prepared
3. Strategies for a Successful Interview
4. Common Interview Questions
5. Turn Objections into Opportunities
6. Close the Sale
7. Evaluate Your Performance
8. Follow Up

Module 19 – Business Development Principles

1. Setting Up and Managing Your Business for Profitability
2. Professional Services and Resources You'll Need
3. Choosing the Right Business Structure
4. Office Space
5. Office Equipment and Furniture
6. Tax Deductible Items
7. Practice Management – Information Storage and Retrieval
8. Expanding Your CLNC^® Practice Through CLNC^® Subcontractors
9. Negotiating Your Fee to Earn What You Are Worth
10. Billing
11. Collection – Making Sure You Get Paid on Time
12. Practice Management Strategies

Module 20 – Glossary of Legal Terms

Module 21 – CLNC^® Certification Program – Review Questions and Answer Key

Other Legal Nurse Consulting Resources

About the Author, Vickie L. Milazzo, RN, MSN, JD

Every CLNC^® Success System includes a copy of the Core Curriculum for Legal Nurse Consulting^® textbook. Learn more about the VIP CLNC^® Business System, our premier best-selling program.