FAQs | Vocational Analysis

Discovery Life Care Planning & Vocational Rehabilitation, LLC prepares a vocational analysis in both catastrophic and non-catastrophic cases.

A vocational analysis encompasses a range of considerations. In adult cases, a vocational analysis evaluates an individual’s potential to work in the competitive labor market, loss of access to the labor market, and loss of earning capacity as the result of an injury. When assessing vocational options, consideration is also given to factors such as age, level of education, work history, skills and knowledge, interests and aptitudes, and placeability. In pediatric cases, the educational and occupational history of parents and other family members, the child’s educational records, standardized test results, and other factors guide the analysis of his/her vocational development potential.

For most, work is a fundamental aspect of an adult’s identity, sense of purpose, social interaction, and sense of community. In addition to recognizing the important psychosocial aspect of work, a vocational analysis is a critical component of a comprehensive assessment of the economic damages in both catastrophic and non-catastrophic cases.

Multiple sources of research data are referenced in order to develop each of the following components of a vocational analysis:

• Anticipated length of the rehabilitation program
• Vocational handicaps
• Impact on placement and range of job alternatives
• Rehabilitation plan
• Vocational development options, pre-onset
• Vocational development options, post-onset
• Pre-injury vocational alternatives
• Post-injury vocational alternatives

Vocational analyses produced by Discovery Life Care Planning & Vocational Rehabilitation, LLC addresses each of these areas and can be used by an economist to project long-term losses and reduce them to present day value via our Forensic Economist, Nik Volkov.

A vocational analysis involves a number of considerations and requires a methodical approach. Following a complete rehabilitation evaluation, vocational handicaps incurred as a result of the onset of the disability are outlined. More specifically, the impact of these handicaps on the individual’s ability to compete for jobs in the labor market is assessed. This helps to establish whether the individual will not only be able to obtain but also maintain competitive employment.

Second, consideration is given to the extent to which these handicaps impact the individual’s ability to compete for an equivalent level of employment in the labor market. It is important to consider the worker trait groups associated with past employment and the extent to which transferable skills remain. The next step in a non-catastrophic case is to look at the rehabilitation plan and to consider what needs to be done to move the individual from his/her current status or condition to the point of being “work ready.” For example, what medical, psychological and rehabilitation programs will be necessary to achieve work-ready status? What are the costs? Is each step documented by clinical practice guidelines, research literature, contact with the treatment team and/or contact with consulting specialist?

It is necessary to establish the pre-morbid or pre-injury earnings base for the individual. This may include a review of employment records, tax returns, school records or several other options depending on the age and career development of the individual. This must be determined on a case-by-case basis. Bear in mind, there are a limited number of educational and career development options available to the individual who has not yet reached an age where they can demonstrate an established career direction. In these instances, it is possible to set a floor for possible future development but not a ceiling. The final step is to determine the ability of the individual to compete in the current labor market based on their handicapping conditions and potential for rehabilitation. This is referred to as the establishment of the diminution of earning capacity.