Certification Core Curriculum

Module 1 – The Role of the Certified Legal Nurse Consultant

1. Seven Types of Cases on Which Certified Legal Nurse Consultants Are Qualified to Consult
2. Distinctions Between the Testifying Expert and the Consulting Expert
3. Scope of Practice of the CLNC Consultant

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

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

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 Certified Legal Nurse Consultants Need 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. 21 Steps for Evaluating Medical-Related Cases Effectively
2. Introduction to Report Writing
3. Report Formats for Brief → Comprehensive Reports
4. Components of the Report for Consulting Experts and Testifying Experts
5. Principles of Report Writing
6. Plaintiff Deviations Used in Medical Malpractice Cases
7. Submitting the Report

Module 7 – How to Research Medical-Related Cases

1. Getting Started – The Basics
2. Selecting the Best Sources of Information
3. Search Results and Search Strategies
4. Databases and Other Resources
5. Database Vendors and Selection
6. Information Brokers
7. Document Delivery
8. Citing Literature and Internet References in Reports
9. Conclusion

Module 8 – 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. How Attorneys Use 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 9 – 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 10 – 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 11 – The Role of the Nurse as a Testifying Expert

1. Testimony by Expert Witnesses
2. Who Testifies and Why
3. Getting Hired as a Testifying Expert
4. Communicating Skillfully with Your Attorney-Client
5. Preparing for Deposition and Trial
6. Your Testifying Experience
7. Powerful Testifying Strategies for Testifying Experts and Nurse Witnesses

Module 12 – Locating and Working with Testifying Experts

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

Module 13 – How to Formulate and Negotiate Contracts

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

Module 14 – Legal and Ethical Issues

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

Module 15 – Developing a Marketing Strategy

1. Four Elements of Effective Marketing
2. Plan in Advance for Your Success
3. Build Strong Attorney-Client Relationships by Committing to Quality, Excellence and Service
4. Create and Project a Winning Brand and Image
5. Implement Relevant and Effective Marketing Strategies

Module 16 – Successful Interview Strategies

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

Module 17 – Business Development Principles

1. Setting Up and Managing Your CLNC 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. Information Management, Storage and Retrieval
8. Expanding Your CLNC Business Through CLNC Subcontractors
9. Business Management Strategies
10. Negotiating Your Fee to Earn What You Are Worth
11. Billing
12. Collection – Making Sure You Get Paid on Time

Glossary of Legal Terms

CLNC^® Certification Program – Review Questions and Answer Key