An injury can impact the quality of someone's life for years to come - or permanently. Representing an injured party is an enormous responsibility. The techniques you use during a case will impact both your client's future well-being and your viability as a competent practitioner. Do you have the knowledge you need to ensure a favorable outcome?

Build your skills from the convenience of your desk! You'll learn best practices for assessing a variety of personal injury cases. Take a closer look at the statutes that affect liability evaluation, as well as the laws of damages. Walk through the basics of civil practice and procedure, so you'll know what to do. Discover when it's in your client's best interest to settle, and when you'll need to go to trial. Order today!

1. Statutes Which Affect Liability Evaluation
2. Understanding the Law of Damages
3. Basics of Civil Practice and Procedure
4. Ethical Considerations for the Plaintiff's Attorney
5. Personal Injury Settlements
6. Trial of the Plaintiff's Personal Injury Case

Continuing Education Credits:   

* denotes specialty credits

1. STATUTES WHICH AFFECT LIABILITY EVALUATION
   8:30 - 9:20, Michelle Allott
   1. Statutes of Limitation
   2. Automobile Accident Statutes
   3. Injuries on Recreational Lands
   4. Sovereign Immunity
2. UNDERSTANDING THE LAW OF DAMAGES
   9:20 - 9:50, William L. Vickerson
   1. Economic Damages
   2. Non-Economic Damages
   3. Wrongful Death and Survival Claims
3. BASICS OF CIVIL PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE
   9:50 - 10:30 and 10:45 - 11:35, William L. Vickerson
   1. Assessment of Particular Case Types - Interviews and Investigation
      1. Automobile Accident Cases
      2. Slip and Fall Cases
      3. Product Liability Cases
      4. Others
   2. The Discovery Process
      1. Written Discovery
      2. Informal Discovery Including Public Sources of Information
      3. Taking and Defending Depositions
   3. Initial Court Filings
   4. Preparing Evidence Prior to Trial
      1. Understanding the Rules of Evidence
      2. Documentary Evidence
      3. Testamentary Evidence
      4. Demonstrative Evidence
4. ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE PLAINTIFF'S ATTORNEY
   12:35 - 1:35, Susan B. Driscoll
   1. The Contingent Fee
   2. The Costs of Litigation - What is a Legitimate Cost?
   3. Advertising Legal Services
   4. Candor Toward the Tribunal
   5. Meritorious Claims and Contentions
5. PERSONAL INJURY SETTLEMENTS
   1:35 - 2:55, Susan B. Driscoll
   1. Negotiation Techniques
   2. Mediation as a Settlement Tool
   3. Subrogation Interests
   4. Structured Settlements
   5. Understanding the Joint Tortfeasor Release and Other Releases
6. TRIAL OF THE PLAINTIFF'S PERSONAL INJURY CASE
   3:10 - 4:40, Michelle Allott
   1. How to Avoid the Most Common Mistakes Made by New Attorneys
   2. Jury Selection - Voir Dire and Jury Questionnaires
   3. The Basics of an Opening Statement
   4. Presentation of Evidence
   5. Direct and Cross-Examination of Witnesses
   6. Proving Economic and Non-Economic Damages
   7. Delivering a Powerful Closing Argument
   8. Post-Trial Relief

MICHELLE ALLOTT is a senior partner in the firm of Farris Law in Gardiner, Maine. Just recently, Ms. Allott opened a Freeport, Maine, office where she focuses her practice in the areas of personal injury, general and business law, probate and commercial litigation. She has also dedicated a sizable portion of her practice to mediation and dispute resolution work. Ms. Allott has taught numerous seminars and classes on various litigation topics. She earned her B.A. degree, magna cum laude, from the University of Rhode Island and her J.D. degree from the University of Maine School of Law. Ms. Allott is a member of the Maine State Bar Association, the Maine Trial Lawyers Association and a fellow of the Maine Bar Foundation. She is a commissioner on the Maine Lawyers Assistance Program Commission for the state of Maine.

SUSAN B. DRISCOLL is an attorney at the law firm of Bergen & Parkinson, LLC, and chair of its litigation group. Ms. Driscoll has substantial trial experience representing plaintiffs and defendants in tort, contract, employment, municipal and family cases. Her diverse practice also includes complex construction litigation and catastrophic personal injury. Ms. Driscoll practices at all levels of state court, including the law court, and in federal court. She earned her J.D. degree from Northeastern University School of Law. Ms. Driscoll is a member of the Maine Trial Lawyers Association, the Gignoux Inns of Court and the York County, Maine State and American bar associations.

WILLIAM L. VICKERSON is a partner with the Portland law firm of LevensonVickerson, where he practices personal injury, employment law, criminal law, mediation and general litigation. Mr. Vickerson received his B.A. degree from Fairfield University and his J.D. degree from Loyola University. He has led seminars on personal injury law and employment law, and has earned the designation of advocate from the National College of Advocacy. Mr. Vickerson is a member of the Maine State Bar Association, the Maine Trial Lawyers Association, the Maine Employment Lawyers Association, the American Association for Justice and the Maine Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Please refer to Continuing Education Credit FAQ for general information about seeking credit for your participation in one of our continuing education programs.

Additionally, our team of credit specialists are here to answer your specific credit-related questions weekdays 7am - 5pm Central:

Phone: 866-240-1890

Email: credit@nbi-sems.com