LAW 472 - Medical Malpractice Trial Advocacy

Spring (2-3) Rodney Adams

This class will examine the unique area of tort law that is commonly litigated in the U.S. The initial weeks of the course will cover the essential elements of a medical malpractice claim giving special attention to the specific statutes governing this kind of lawsuit. Students will then apply trial advocacy skills to a hypothetical medical malpractice case. Using a fact pattern from a wrongful death action recently tried in Virginia, students will plan and participate in written discovery, depositions, pretrial motions and trial. This will include witness preparation, juror selection, opening statements, direct and cross examinations, and closing arguments. All aspects of taking a medical malpractice claim from the filing stage to jury verdict will be addressed. VCU and local physicians volunteer as defendants and expert witnesses. You will not have a more realistic trial experience! The last class (mandatory) will be a day-long jury trial.