Milazzo Institute settles $3 million infringement lawsuit against an LNC company

© The Medical-Legal News 2007

 The Gist
• Use credentials properly when marketing or teaching.

The Vickie Milazzo Institute, a private school that trains registered nurses to become legal nurse consultants, settled a lawsuit for an undisclosed sum against Compliance Review Services, Inc., of Houston in December over trademark infringement and unfair competition.

The Vickie Milazzo Institute alleged in the lawsuit that Compliance Review Services used the CLNC® symbol, which stands for Certified Legal Nurse Consultant, inappropriately in educational materials, and engaged in unfair competition. The suit also alleged that the use of the trademark by Compliance Review Services gave the false impression of affiliation and endorsement. The suit further claimed that Compliance Review Services used the Milazzo Institute mailing list for unauthorized purposes.

Compliance Review Services is a home health/hospice/legal nurse consulting firm. Kimberley Kelly, CEO, also was named in the suit. Kelly is a former Milazzo Institute student.

Malcolm Whittaker, attorney for Compliance Review Services, said “Compliance Review Services, Inc. has settled the case on favorable terms.” •