REHB 678 Providing Rehabilitation Opinion: Case Simulation
Instructor:
Office:
Phone:
Email:
Credits: 3
Online Class hours:
Online Office hours:
Text and materials:
No specific text will be required for this course. Instead, a manual for the course
will be developed and distributed to participants in order to acquaint them with the
overall purpose and goals of the simulation. Documentation relevant to the situation and
the detailed information about the plaintiff of the case will be developed and utilized by
all participants in the simulation. A different case situation and plaintiff characteristics
will be utilized for each offering of the course, although some may be repeated once an
representative inventory of cases has been developed.
Students will have access to prior course texts, databases, and documents that they
can incorporate within the simulation, particularly as they pertain to each step that is
taken and to the needs of the case.
Course Description:
Students are involved in a simulation of a complex case matter in one of the areas
in which forensic rehabilitation consultants are employed to assist the courts in
understanding the economic impact of acquired disabilit(ies) on the individual and their
family.
Working with a faculty member, attorney, or law student, who are representing
either the plaintiff or defense side in the matter, they proceed through the entire legal
process from the point of being retained as an expert witness, assessing the case,
developing expert opinion(s), and testifying at a mock trial.
Assessment of the student expert is completed by retaining and opposition
attorneys, jury members, judge, and faculty members. Assessment is based on the
students participation in the pre-trial through testimony at trial process.
The student’s work with the attorney(s), in the development of opinions, and their
mock trial testimony, particularly with regard to the impact of their testimony and other
areas of requisite knowledge, skills, and personal qualities which are important to the
effectiveness, technically accuracy, and usability of their efforts are assessed.
Student Learning Outcomes:
The student will accomplish each of the following learning outcomes during this
REHB 678 Providing Rehabilitation Opinion: Case Simulation
Syllabus (Proposed)
2
course:
1. Demonstrate knowledge of the process and procedures utilized by forensic
rehabilitation experts and consultants in the litigation process, particularly as
these factors impact on their development of and testimony on the opinions
that they develop;
2. Demonstrate appropriate interactions and ethical relationships in their work
with plaintiff and defense attorneys in the case.
3. Demonstrate the application of requisite skills in their review and gathering of
case-related information, determination of additional information needs, use of
a wide range of research and other resources pertinent to the case, and in
providing a solid foundation for the opinions that they develop relative to the
case at hand.
4. Demonstrate the provision of usable, relevant, and effective presentation
of opinions during the examination and cross-examination phases of trial
proceedings.
5. Demonstrate appropriate ethical practices and professional demeanor
throughout their involvement in pre-trial and trial phases of litigation
proceedings.
Course Requirements and Grading Method:
A. Requirements:
1. Quality and efficiency in communications with retaining attorney(s) as
measured by a structured rubric which addresses effective and meaningful
communications between experts/consultants and attorneys. Grading will
apply to the student’s oral, online discussions or chats, e-mail, and other
forms of communications as implemented. (15%)
2. Accuracy in understanding of various dimensions of the type of case and of
details pertaining to the plaintiff in the review of case documentation and
development of foundation for their subsequent case opinions. (15%)
3. Provide comprehensive opinion(s) which address employment, household
maintenance, educational, medical/social/leisure needs, as well as the
relationships and services provided for/by other family members, of the
plaintiff and the impact of disability upon each. Opinions will be presented in
both a written report and in oral testimony in a court or deposition setting.
(50%)
REHB 678 Providing Rehabilitation Opinion: Case Simulation
Syllabus (Proposed)
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4. Provide appropriate and accurate information that would be utilized in the
determination of economic damages/losses to the plaintiff and their family or
estate, due to the events for which litigation is taking place. This information
would be utilized by either a forensic economist or certified earnings analyst,
in their determination of said economic losses. (10%)
5. Demonstrate appropriate conduct, appearance, and interactions throughout all
phases of the litigation process, particularly with regard to the following of
ethical standards of relevant professional organizations and the expectations
of the courts. (10%)
B: Grading Method:
A
B
C
D
F
=
=
=
=
=
90.0% and above
80.0% to 89.9%
70.0% to 79.9%
60.0% to 69.9%
59.9% and below
Course Format:
Regularly scheduled real-time (synchronous) online class meetings will make use
of Adobe Breeze, Adobe Connect, or comparable web-conferencing tool. These sessions
will follow an online lecture format followed by discussion of core concepts, issues, and
concerns that are raised. Lecture outlines, links to outside articles, and other information
will be placed on D2L for each module of the course. Readings within each
module/session of the course will include those from the required course text and
supplemental documents.
For those activities in which delayed responses (asynchronus) to topics and
questions posed by the instructor or another class participant would be conducted through
the Discussion tool within the Desire2Learn (D2L) course management platform.
Available technologies will be utilized for group or individual communications between
student(s) and the instructor. Faculty member will attempt to respond to student contacts
as soon as possible and within 24-hours, unless special circumstances prevent this.
Maximum participation of all students is essential, and all class members are
expected to complete readings, analyze and synthesize ideas and materials presented or
which grow out of the student's or class member's discernment, by contributing to
discussions in a timely, meaningful and respectful manner.
Written assignments will be submitted, reviewed, and graded through the Drop
Box feature of the D2L case management platform. Grading rubric(s) will serve as a tool
to provide student's with a guide to the expectations of the instructor for each of the
individual or group assignments identified, and subsequently as a tool for the instructor to
REHB 678 Providing Rehabilitation Opinion: Case Simulation
Syllabus (Proposed)
give prompt, useful, and targeted feedback to each student.
Examinations will take place online through D2L; and will include varying types
of items as appropriate to the content covered by each exam. Exams and written
assignments will require students to actively exhibit their writing and critical thinking
skills, their knowledge and understanding of vocational rehabilitation and related
specializations, expert consultation concepts and issues, and the discernment of ethical
challenges as they exist within various litigation-related situations.
Course Content and Tentative Schedule:
Module/
Session
Content
1
Orientation to Case Simulation Process, Procedures, and
Requirements
2
Retention of the Forensic Rehabilitation Expert
3
Review of Case Documentation
4
Analysis of Pre-Post Injury Capacities
5
Analysis of Rehabilitation Intervention Needs and Areas That Have
Been Impacted
6
Analysis of Economic Impact of Injuries on Individual and Family
7
Formulation of Preliminary Opinions and Oral Presentation to
Attorney
8
Development of Written Opinion
9
Review of Opposing Expert’s Opinion
10
Pre-Trial Preparation
11
Testimony at Trial
12
Individual Feedback on Testimony and Pre-Trial Steps
4