4 Hours / 4 CEs

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on Evaluation of Children in Personal Injury Cases is presented by Jemour A. Maddux, PsyD, ABPP in partnership with the American Academy of Forensic Psychology (AAFP).

This program focuses on the evaluation of children in personal injury cases. First described is relevant case law and empirical literature, followed by step-by-step guidance for practitioners undertaking these evaluations. Next, the types of interviews and psychological tests that are utilized in these evaluations are discussed, including matters regarding group and individual differences. Finally, participants are introduced to a model and demonstratives for collecting, analyzing, and communicating evaluation data.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

  • 1 Describe the key finding in five landmark cases in tort law
  • 2 Describe and employ an approach for analyzing causation
  • 3 Describe how economic status, race, indigenous heritage, and other demographic factors may relate to the child’s litigation and participation in the evaluation
  • 4 Describe at least two strengths and two weaknesses of interviews and psychological tests that are often utilized in these evaluations

  • Intended Audience

    This training is designed for mental health and allied professionals who conduct evaluations of children in personal injury cases. It is particularly relevant for those specializing in forensic psychology, clinical psychology, or social work, with expertise in child assessment, interview techniques, and psychological testing.

    Examples of Relevant Professionals:

    • Mental Health Professionals
    • Forensic Psychologists
    • Clinical Psychologists
    • Social Workers
    • Allied Mental Health Professionals involved in child personal injury evaluations

  • Experience Level

    This training is designed for licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals with varying levels of experience in evaluating children in personal injury cases.

    • Beginner: Participants new to forensic child evaluations will gain foundational knowledge of key legal cases, empirical literature, and basic evaluation procedures.

    • Intermediate: Participants with some experience in forensic or clinical child assessment will deepen their understanding of case law, refine their evaluation techniques, and enhance their ability to consider demographic and cultural factors.

    • Advanced: Participants with extensive experience in forensic child evaluations will further develop expertise in complex causation analysis, advanced assessment methods, and nuanced communication of findings in legal contexts.

  • Practice Setting

    They practice in forensic-clinical environments at the intersection of mental health and the legal system, conducting child evaluations for personal injury matters. Work is evidence-based and trauma-informed—guided by case law and empirical literature—and involves structured interviews, standardized testing, and systematic collection, analysis, and communication of findings for legal decisions.

    Examples of Practice Settings:

    • Hospital-based forensic assessment services
    • Private practices specializing in child personal injury evaluations/IMEs
    • Court-referred or court-affiliated evaluation programs
    • Community mental health centers with forensic services
    • Pediatric rehabilitation or neuropsychology clinics
    • Telehealth evaluation settings (where legally permitted)
Presented By

Jemour A. Maddux, Psy.D., ABPP

Jemour A. Maddux Psy.D., ABPP is board-certified in forensic psychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology. He is also a member of the American Psychological Association (APA)’s Committee on Professional Practice and Standards. Dr. Maddux has contributed to the development of various policy statements, amicus briefs, and practice guidelines for the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC) and APA. These include the APA’s Guidelines for Child Custody Evaluations in Family Law Proceedings and its Guidelines for Psychological Evaluations in Child Protection Matters. Dr. Maddux is an adjunct instructor for postdoctoral fellows in forensic psychology. He co-edited Assessing Trauma in Forensic Contexts and serves as an Associate Editor of a book series sponsored by the American Psychology-Law Society (APA Division 41). Dr. Maddux is currently in private practice in New Jersey, offering forensic evaluation and consultation services in the contexts of family, civil, sentencing, and police and public safety proceedings.

Training Outline

Key topics covered in this training include:

  • Relevant Case Law and Empirical Literature
    -Overview of legal precedents and research informing evaluations

  • Step-by-Step Guidance for Practitioners
    -Practical procedures for conducting evaluations

  • Types of Interviews and Psychological Tests
    -Discussion of instruments used in these evaluations
    -Consideration of group and individual differences

  • Model and Demonstratives for Evaluation
    -Introduction to a model for data collection, analysis, and communication

We are proud to partner with

American Academy of Forensic Psychology (AAFP)

American Academy of Forensic Psychology (AAFP)

We are proud to partner with the American Academy of Forensic Psychology (AAFP) for this training. AAFP is a non-profit organization of board-certified forensic psychologists whose mission is to contribute to the development and maintenance of forensic psychology as a specialized field of study, research, and practice. The Academy does this by providing high-quality continuing education workshops, providing a forum for the exchange of scientific information among its members, and conferring awards upon outstanding students and practitioners in the field of forensic psychology.

Learn More About Our Partner

CE Sponsorship Information

Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by, recognized by, or maintains sponsorship provider status with the following boards and agencies. We maintain responsibility for all content in our CE/CPD programs. For more information, visit here. 

  1. American Psychological Association (APA): Approved sponsor of continuing education for psychologists.

  2. Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB): Approved continuing education provider (ACE program, Provider #1480), 11/22/2023–11/22/2026.

  3. Canadian Psychological Association (CPA): Approved to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.

  4. National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC): Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP No. 7190).


Sponsorship Approval Statements

Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7190. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Palo Alto University, #1480, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. Palo Alto University maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period 11/22/23-11/22/26. Social workers completing this course receive (clinical or social work ethics) continuing education credits. Continuing and Professional Studies, Palo Alto University, is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0103. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0356. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies, is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0073.