Historically, attorneys retained the services of both a vocational analyst and an economic analyst to define the loss of earning capacity in cases of partial disability. The vocational professional is typically not conversant with economic methods, and the economic professional usually is inexperienced in working with persons with a disability. Most personal injury attorneys will agree that coordinating the efforts and court appearances of two separate analysts has built-in problems. In effect, each of the two analysts provides half an analysis, and the judge and jury must create linkage. Increasingly, attorneys are discovering the advantages of using a vocational economic analyst who combines the expertise of both disciplines.
Many attorneys find that using one expert instead of two is particularly effective at time of trial.
Persons with a disability have a significantly lower worklife expectancy than nondisabled persons 2. Persons with a disability who work full-time earn less when they work than nondisabled persons These two facts combine to produce a loss of earning capacity for all persons who meet the definition of occupational disability. VEI uses factual data as cited above as the foundation for analysis, ultimately producing the most realistic and objective assessment possible in a case of partial disability. It is important to note that vocational economic analysts have qualified in both state and federal courts to provide expert testimony in the vocational and economic aspects of lost earnings due to personal injury.