Seminars & Workshops

Course Description

NOTE: MCLE Credit approved for 4 hours

This course involves a 1 hour presentation on Medical Record Review and 4 case studies that are reviewed at your own pace. The purpose is to educate criminal attorneys and investigators in medical record review so they may be able to answer their own questions and make better decisions relating to what experts may be needed; and when in the case development timeline to bring on an expert. This course is unique because actual cases and actual medical records are used to teach the audience. (MCLE: 4 hours)

First attendees will be required to attend a live class (online or in person) on medical record review. The class is offered online through wiziq and is free so you may attend the class prior to enrolling in the workshop. Please contact Tara Godoy for upcoming online and in person class opportunities.

Details regarding the medical record review live class: The records included in the one hour presentation follow an attempted murder case and highlight not only what is in the records but also what might be missing. The purpose of the presentation is to assist attorneys in focusing their review of medical records by locating summaries within the documents, avoiding “filler,” and identifying red flags. Participants will learn how to find the information that will assist them in determining when an expert is needed.

Once the attendee has completed the online class they may continue on to the case studies. Each case study includes actual medical records and other discovery including photos and police reports. Case study topics are Strangulation, Child Abuse, DUI and Assault. A review of the medical records using a study guide is performed and then participants answer a quiz to evaluate learning.

Medical Record Review: How not to “google” every term

Summary:

The records included in the presentation follow an attempted murder case and highlight not only what is in the records but also what might be missing. The purpose of the presentation is to assist attorneys in focusing their review of medical records by locating summaries within the documents, avoiding “filler,” and identifying red flags. Participants will learn how to find the information that will assist them in determining when an expert is needed.

Highlights

1. Introduction
2. Discharge Summary, H&P, Consults
   • Review of records that summarize the patient’s care while in the hospital
   • Distinguishing between narrative reports
3. Emergency Department Reports
   • Review of the types of records and where to find critical information
   • Brief review of labs
4. Transport Records
   • How to tell the difference between Pre-hospital (911 providers) and Interfacility transports and levels of care provided
   • What information can be critical to your case
5. Surgery and Radiology
   • How to read operative reports
   • Where to find the information you need on XRay and CT Scan reports
6. Medications and Orders
   • When is a drug actually given and why orders can be confusing

Blunt Force Trauma – What the Skin Can Tell Us

Cost: travel expenses appreciated

Summary:

This presentation reviews several aspects of blunt force trauma, appropriate for both civil and criminal attorneys and investigators. It is designed to teach participants about various injuries that result from Blunt Force Trauma. The use of case studies and emergency room stories gives the attendee insight into how these injuries occur and how to assess the mechanism. The purpose of the presentation is to assist attorneys and investigators in understanding the causative factors behind injuries from Blunt Force Trauma and provide them with in-depth knowledge regarding the potential indications of such injuries.

Highlights

1. Introduction
2. Bruises/Contusions
   • Dating bruises
3. Abrasions
4. Lacerations
5. Avulsions
6. Multiple Injuries
7. Patterned Injuries

Blunt Force Trauma (Internal) – What happens on the inside

Cost: travel expenses appreciated

Summary:

Blunt force trauma can cause significant injuries to the internal organs and tissues. The attendee will leave this presentation with an understanding of what kind of injuries can be sustained and the prognosis and complications of each. Case studies and emergency department stories make this a fun presentation to attend!

Highlights

1. Introduction
2. Head Injuries
   • Including fractures, intracranial hemorrhaging and coup/contre-coup
3. Facial Injuries
   • Including fractures, orbital blowout, oral injuries
4. Chest
   • Including fractures, collapsed lungs
5. Abdomen
   • Including liver and spleen lacerations, intestinal perforation
6. Pelvic/Lower Extremity
   • Including fractures and compartment syndrome

Bruises & Decubitus – Oh The Stories they Tell!

This presentation contains our Blunt Force Trauma Presentation and then goes into greater detail about pressure ulcers. It is designed to teach attorneys and investigators about various injuries that result from Blunt Force Trauma. Bruises/Contusions, Abrasions, Lacerations and Avulsions are all discussed with definitions, examples and information on each wound. Dating of bruises is included as well is information on multiple injuries. Pressure ulcer prevention, assessment and staging are also discussed.

Highlights

1. Introduction
2. Bruises/Contusions
   • Definition
   • Mechanism
   • Differentiate from Ecchymosis
   • Dating of Bruises
   • Case Study
3. Abrasions
   • Definition
   • Mechanism
4. Lacerations
   • Definition
   • Mechanism
   • Differentiate from Cut/Incision
5. Avulsions
   • Definition
   • Mechanism
   • Types
6. Multiple Injuries
   • One mechanism can cause multiple injury types
7. Other Injuries – Patterned Injuries
   • Definition
   • Examples
   • Mechanism
8. Other Injuries – Pressure Ulcers
   • Definition
   • Prevention
   • Assessment
   • Plan of Care
   • Staging

Abusive Head Trauma: Crossing the Boundary from Medicine to Law

Cost: $750 speaking fee plus travel expenses

Summary:

Abusive Head Trauma (AHT) is a complex area that is surrounded by controversy in both the legal and medical communities. This presentation reviews the basic pathophysiology of intracranial hemorrhaging and retinal hemorrhages and then dives deeper into the theories of causation and how they are supported by medical literature. Biomechanics, mimics and ground level falls are all discussed. This presentation is relevant for criminal attorneys, investigators, and any healthcare provider in the areas of emergency medicine, forensics, or pediatrics.

Highlights

1. Introduction
2. Pathology
   • Primary Versus Secondary Injury
   • Cause of Death
   • Intracranial Hemorrhaging
   • Retinal Hemorrhaging
3. Impact
4. Ground Level Falls
5. Biomechanics
6. Mimics and Alternate Theories
   • Glutaric Aciduria
   • Cerebral Sinovenous Thrombosis
   • Hypoxia
7. Supporting Literature
8. Medical Records
   • What do you need to request/SDT?
9. Case Review (as time allows)

Evaluating Strangulation Evidence from a Medical Perspective

Tara M Godoy, BSN RN CFN LNC

Summary

Strangulation/suffocation in domestic violence is gaining momentum in the criminal courts as family violence groups advocate for stronger sentencing and more felony charges. Educating attorneys and judges is critical to ensure judgments are made based on facts and medical science. This presentation discusses the statistics of these assaults and what may be present in the discovery. Using case studies, medical charts and photographs, the audience will learn pertinent vocabulary and anatomy with a common goal of realizing the main issues that will drive a case to a fair resolution. Attendees will leave with a knowledge of what may constitute Great or Significant Bodily Injury, the common injuries seen and what to expect from experts.

Highlights

1. Introduction
2. Anatomy
3. Vocabulary
4. Statistics
5. Strangulation
   • Methods
   • Timing to LOC and death
6. Petechiae
7. Signs/Symptoms
8. Legal Focus
   • GBI/SBI
   • Lethality
9. Case Study (as time permits)