Course Content and Outcome Guide for PL 224
- Course Number:
- PL 224
- Course Title:
- Torts and Personal Injury
- Credit Hours:
- Lecture Hours:
- Lecture/Lab Hours:
- Lab Hours:
- Special Fee:
Course DescriptionProvides an overview of tort law and handling personal injury claims, including paralegal's role. Includes study of international torts, negligence and strict liability claims, defenses, vicarious liability, tort claims act, damages, analysis of fact situations, review of case law, draft pleadings, evaluation of damages, discovery issues, and application of principles discussed in class. Prerequisites/concurrent: PL 101. Audit available.
Addendum to Course Description
An elective satisfying the requirements of Associate of Applied Science degree-Legal Assistant or Legal Assistant Certificate.
Intended Outcomes for the course
Upon completion of course, students should be able to:
- Analyze the elements, essentials and defenses of common tort claims,
- Handle negligence cases and guide clients from initial pleadings through the discovery process, settlement and trial,
- Evaluate and compute damages,
- Draft demand letters
Outcome Assessment Strategies
Briefing (summarizing) cases
Course Content (Themes, Concepts, Issues and Skills)
The following concepts will be introduced and discussed:
Negligence claims, including:
Statutory torts, negligence per se, counterclaims, comparative negligence, prima facie case, damages
Intentional Torts, including:
Assault and battery, Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress, Defamation and other intentional tort claims
Settlement process; litigation process; client relations; discovery in personal injury cases.
In addition, students will demonstrate:
Communication skills: PCC graduates should be able to communicate effectively by determining the purpose of the communication; analyzing the audience and context to use appropriate language and modality; and by responding to feedback to achieve clarity, coherence and effectiveness.
Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: PCC graduates should be able to think critically and creatively to solve problems, understanding and using various methods of reasoning and evaluating information and its sources.
Cultural Awareness: PCC graduates should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the varieties of human cultures, perspectives and forms of expression as well as their own cultures complexities.
Professional Competance: PCC graduates should demonstrate master of their discipline at a level appropriate to the program and transfer requirements through application of skills, concepts, processes and technology in performance of authentic tasks that enhance their employability.
Self-Reflection: PCC graduates should be self-appraising in applying knowledge and skills they have learned, examining and developing personal beliefs and professional skills.