Prosecuting and Defending Medical Malpractice Claims

- Location -
Sheraton Syracuse University Hotel & Conference Ce
801 University Avenue
Syracuse, NY 13210-0801
(315) 475-3000

7.0 TOTAL MCLE CREDITS
3.0 IN THE AREA OF PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE AND 4.0 IN SKILLS

Description

The Committee on Continuing Legal Education, the Torts, Insurance and Compensation Law Section and the Trial Lawyers Section are pleased to present Prosecuting and Defending Medical Malpractice Claims.

A must for both new and experienced attorneys, this practical seminar will provide an overview of the key issues in medical malpractice litigation through a combination of lectures and practical demonstrations.  Learn how to determine the relevant standard of care, how to prepare your case, how to avoid common pitfalls and how to examine expert witnesses.

Faculty members will examine critical skills involved in analyzing medical records, fact gathering, defense strategies, finding and making effective use of experts, proving the standard of care and preparation and cross-examining physician defendants and experts.

Panelists will take you step-by-step through the trial and offer invaluable insight on pre-suit activities, discovery, jury selection and judgment calculation. Opening statements, motions during trial, closing arguments and trial strategies involved in medical malpractice cases will also be discussed.

This seminar will be filled with valuable tips and useful information.  Don’t miss this opportunity to learn trial strategies and techniques in medical malpractice actions from top-notch litigators.

Topics include

-Initial client interview and evaluation of case
-Screening and investigation
-Identifying defendants
-Establishing the theory of the case
-Evaluating strengths and weaknesses
-Retaining experts
-Analyzing a medical brief
-Deposing and examining the defendant physician
-Conducting direct and cross examinations of expert witnesses
-Making a successful opening statement

Bound course materials prepared especially for this program will be distributed to registrants on the morning of the program. 

Agenda

8:30-9:00 a.m. REGISTRATION (outside of the meeting room)

9:00-9:10 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION

9:10-10:00

I. PREPARATION OF THE CASE

Investigating the Factual Background

— Obtaining and Examining Medical Records

— Obtaining Related Documents

— Identifying Defendants and Witnesses

Assessing and Evaluating the Malpractice Case

— Statute of Limitations

Finding, Retaining and Preparing Experts

10:00-10:50

II. PLAINTIFF'S DISCOVERY

Scope of Discovery

Discovery and Inspection of Documents

Deposition Guidelines

— Preparing to Depose the Defendant

— Taking the Deposition of a Non-Party

10:50-11:05 COFFEE BREAK

11:05-11:55

III. DEFENDANT'S DISCOVERY

Investigation

Discovery Demands and Inspection of Documents

Defending a Defendant’ Deposition

11:55-12:45 p.m.

IV. JUDICIAL PERSPECTIVE

Common Problems and Mistakes

Practice Pointers

Proper Questioning and Trial Strategy

12:45-1:45 LUNCH (on your own)

1:45-2:35

V. VOIR DIRE**

Communicating the Right Message to the Right Jury

How to Select the Most Favorable Jury

Objectives and Procedures

Challenges and Rulings

Batsonand J.E.B.

(**This segment will be "Hot Legal Topics" at the Albany program location)

2:35-2:50 COFFEE/SOFT DRINK BREAK

2:50-3:40

VI. EXPERTS

Cross-Examining the Medical Expert

— Qualifications and Objectivity

— Use of Authoritative Texts

— Use of Other Case Testimony

— The Expert's Attacking Opinions

3:40-4:30

VII. TRIAL STRATEGIES AND TECHNIQUES

Opening Statements - What to Include and What to Omit

Keys to a Powerful Closing

The Concept of Fair Comment

Working with Witnesses to Increase their Jury Appeal

Persuasion Techniques

4:30 p.m. ADJOURNMENT

Faculty

Overall Planning Chair

Andrew S. Kaufman, Esq.
Kaufman Borgeest & Ryan
New York City

Local Panels

Syracuse:  James D. Lantier, Esq.(Chair), Smith, Sovik, Kendrick & Sugnet, P.C., Syracuse. * Anthony S. Bottar, Esq., Bottar Leone, PLLC, Syracuse  * Hon. John C. Cherundolo, New YorkState Supreme Court Justice, Onondaga County, Syracuse * Laurence F. Sovik, Esq., Smith, Sovik, Kendrick & Sugnet, P.C., Syracuse.

Buffalo:  Michael J. Roach, Esq.(Chair), Connors & Vilardo, LLP, Buffalo * John P. Danieu, Esq., Roach, Brown, McCarthy & Gruber, PC, Buffalo * John M. Dempsey, Esq., Dempsey & Dempsey, Buffalo * Laraine Kelley, Esq., Lipsitz Green Scime Cambria LLP, Buffalo * Hon. Joseph D. Mintz, New York State Supreme Court, Erie County, Buffalo * Robert B. Nichols, Esq., Paul Wiliam Beltz, P.C., Buffalo * Kathleen M. Sweet, Esq., Gibson, McAskill & Crosby, LLP, Buffalo * Brian J. Weidner, Esq., Brown & Tarantino, LLP, Buffalo.

Albany:  William D. Yoquinto, Esq., (Chair), Carter, Conboy, Case, Blackmore, Maloney & Laird, P.C., Albany * Timothy J. Higgins, Esq., Powers & Santola, LLP, Powers & Santola LLP, Albany* Nancy E. May-Skinner, Esq., Fager & Amsler, L.L.P., Latham* Peter J. Moschetti, Esq., Anderson, Moschetti & Taffany, PLLC, Latham * Hon. Vincent J. Reilly, Jr., New York State Supreme Court, Schenectady County * Daniel R. Santola, Esq., Powers & Santola, LLP, Albany * Jeffrey J. Tymann, Esq., Thorn Gershon Tymann and Bonanni, LLP, Albany.

Plainview LI:  W. Russell Corker, Esq. (Chair), Shayne, Dachs, Corker, Sauer & Dachs, LLP, Mineola * Alan W. Clark, Esq., Alan Clark & Associates, LLC, Levittown * Alan J. Fumuso, Esq., Fumuso, Kelly, DeVerna, Snyder, Swart & Farrell, LLP, Hauppauge * Peter C. Kopff, Esq., Kopff, Nardelli & Dopf LLP, New York City * Steven E. Pegalis, Esq., Pegalis & Erickson, LLC, Lake Success * Stephen I. Widlitz, Esq., Widlitz & Stern, P.C., Huntington * Hon. F. Dana Winslow, New York State Supreme Court Justice, Nassau County, Mineola.

Rochester:  Peter T. Rodgers, Esq.(Chair), Lacy Katzen LLP, Rochester * David E. Brown, Esq., Brown and Tarantino, LLC, Rochester * Angelo G. Faraci, Esq., Faraci Lange, LLP, Rochester *Harold A. Kurland, Esq., Ward, Norris, Heller & Reidy LLP, Rochester * David L. Murphy, Esq., Weinstein Murphy, Rochester * Hon. Matthew Rosenbaum, New York State Supreme Court Justice, Monroe County, Rochester * Stephen G. Schwarz, Esq., Faraci Lange, LLP, Rochester * Margaret E. Somerset, Esq., The Somerset Firm LLC, Canadaigua * Elizabeth K. Zorn, RN, BSN, LNCC, Faraci Lange, LLP, Rochester.

New York City:  Andrew S. Kaufman, Esq. (Chair), Kaufman Borgeest & Ryan LLP, New York City * Hon. Eileen Bransten, New York State Supreme Court, New York County, New York City * George J. Kehayas, Esq., Garbarini & Scher, P.C., New York City * Peter C. Kopff, Esq., Kopff, Nardelli & Dopf LLP, New York City * Stephen H. Mackauf, Esq., Gair, Gair, Conason, Steigman & Mackauf, New York City * Stephen W. O’Leary, Jr., Esq., Kanterman O'Leary & Soscia, LLPJamaica * Paul Simonson, Esq., Simonson, Hess & Leibowitz, P.C., New York City.

Directions

FROM ALBANY, ROCHESTER, SYRACUSE: I-90 West to Exit 51 Route 33 West Exit at Goodell Street. Follow Goodell to Pearl Street (veer left), follow Pearl to West Huron Street. Hotel is on corner of Pearl Street and West Huron Street.FROM NIAGARA FALLS: 190 South to Downtown Buffalo, Niagara Street Exit. Make right onto Niagara Street. Take Niagara to West Huron. Take left on W. Huron. Follow to Pearl Street. The hotel is on the corner of W. Huron and Pearl Street.FROM BUFFALO AIRPORT: 33 West, exit Goodell Street. Follow Goodell to Pearl Street (veer left). Follow Pearl to W. Huron. The hotel is on the corner of W. Huron and Pearl Street.Parking is available at the Augsberger Ramp, the red brick parking ramp adjacent the Hyatt Regency Downtown. The ramp is located on Pearl Street, between Chippew and West Huron.

The last day to pre-register online was October 16, 2007.

Members, please login to get member discounts.

Seminar
SYR-Prosecuting and Defending Medical Malpractice Claims	$165.00

Seminar
SYR-Prosecuting and Defending Medical Malpractice Claims	$250.00

Seminar
SYR-Prosecuting and Defending Medical Malpractice Claims	$60.00

Accommodations for Persons with Disabilities:
NYSBA welcomes participation by individuals with disabilities. NYSBA is committed to complying with all applicable laws that prohibit discrimination against individuals on the basis of disability in the full and equal enjoyment of its goods, services, programs, activities, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations. To request auxiliary aids or services or if you have any questions regarding accessibility, please contact Cindy O'Brien at 800-582-2452 or cobrien@nysba.org.