The two areas of study for this topic-specific Specialist Program are Workers’ Compensation Law and Administrative Law. A required elective further sharpens your understanding of Workers Compensation Law.
Workers’ Compensation Law
Workers injured on the job and covered by workers’ compensation insurance must follow the sometimes overwhelming procedures required to receive compensation. If compensation is denied, legal actions can ensue. Learn the procedural and representative processes of workers’ compensation law, and become a valuable asset to workers’ compensation attorneys and firms. Paralegals have become an important component of this specialized, document intensive process. Although a form of administrative representation, workers’ compensation law also requires strong people skills, because you will be dealing with sick or injured people who are relying on you to a large degree for their benefits. Being able to keep track of a multitude of documents is another necessity for effectively representing workers’ compensation cases.
Administrative Law
Paralegals are not permitted to give legal advice nor represent others in legal matters. However, an exception to this tenet is with Administrative representation; and since most administrative agencies allow for non-lawyer representation, paralegals are the perfect fit for the legal administrative process.
Administrative representation is very similar in structure to court representation with a pre-hearing stage, the hearing stage and the administrative appeal. Learn to represent clients in an administrative setting like an attorney by settling matters prior to the formal hearing. Become an effective representative by acquiring the skills to interview clients, research applicable administrative rules and decisions, communicate effectually with agencies, provide necessary documentation, and develop proficiency with the procedures specific to the agency.
Elective
Once you have begun this program, you will work with your instructor to determine which elective course fits best with your particular area of interest. You will choose one of the following electives: E-Discovery, Accounting and Tax Law for Paralegals, Legal Ethics, Laws of Evidence, Advanced Legal Research or Constitutional Law.