When it comes to personal injury cases, securing the appropriate compensation for an injured individual requires a comprehensive understanding of the financial and medical consequences of their injury. Vocational experts and life care planners play a critical role in providing the necessary insights and documentation that help attorneys build stronger, more compelling cases.

For over 50 years, Occupational Assessment Services, Inc. (OAS) has been a leader in offering vocational assessments and life care planning services to law firms across the United States. Through these services, OAS helps attorneys assess the injured party's employability, future earning potential, and long-term medical needs. In this post, we'll take a closer look at the essential services OAS offers and how they contribute to maximizing the value of injury claims.

What Does a Vocational Expert Do?

A vocational expert's job is to assess how an injury impacts an individual's ability to work and earn a living. While medical experts focus on the physical and medical aspects of the injury, vocational experts specialize in evaluating the economic consequences, including the person's capacity to return to their previous employment or transition to new work.

A vocational expert evaluates:

  • Pre-injury work history: Reviewing the types of jobs the person held before the injury.

  • Physical and cognitive limitations: Assessing how the injury affects the person's ability to perform their job duties.

  • Skills and education: Identifying whether the person can transition to a different type of work.

  • Labor market conditions: Analyzing the availability of suitable employment opportunities in the person's area based on their limitations.

For example, a worker who suffers a serious back injury may no longer be able to perform physically demanding work. The vocational expert will assess whether there are alternative job options that the individual could pursue and calculate the potential loss in earning capacity.

Why Life Care Planning Is Vital

Life care planning is a specialized process that outlines the future medical and personal care needs of an individual who has suffered a severe injury or disability. It includes a detailed plan projecting the costs of long-term care, medical treatments, and other associated services throughout the individual's life.

Life care planning often involves:

  • Ongoing medical treatments: Surgery, physical therapy, medication, etc.

  • Medical equipment: Prosthetics, wheelchairs, home modifications.

  • Personal care: Home health aides, nursing care, daily living assistance.

  • Psychological care: Therapy or rehabilitation services to address emotional or cognitive challenges.

For a person who suffers a traumatic brain injury, for instance, life care planning may account for the cost of rehabilitation, therapy, and home modifications. These plans ensure that all future care needs are adequately considered when seeking compensation.

OAS Inc. Services: Supporting Attorneys with Comprehensive Assessments

OAS offers a wide range of services that assist legal professionals in thoroughly documenting the financial and medical damages sustained by the injured party. These services provide valuable insight and evidence to support claims for fair compensation.

1. Vocational Evaluations

Vocational evaluations are in-depth assessments that help determine the injured individual's ability to work in the future. This evaluation looks at their physical, cognitive, and emotional limitations, as well as their skillset and work experience. It ultimately helps quantify lost earning capacity and assess the individual's potential for returning to work or shifting careers.

2. Earning Capacity Assessments

An earning capacity assessment takes into account both past and future financial losses caused by the injury. It evaluates the individual's ability to earn a living, considering the extent of the injury and the person's limitations moving forward. This assessment is crucial for determining the long-term economic damages caused by the injury.

3. Life Care Plans

Life care plans are essential for estimating the cost of ongoing medical care and personal services required by the injured person for the rest of their life. This plan takes into account future medical treatments, necessary equipment, therapy, and personal care needs, ensuring that all costs are considered when seeking compensation.

4. Medical Records Review

OAS experts thoroughly analyze medical records to gain a full understanding of the injuries sustained. This in-depth review is crucial for building accurate vocational and life care assessments, ensuring that all current and future medical needs are identified.

5. Economic Damage Presentations

Economic damage presentations visually break down the financial impact of the injury, including lost wages, reduced earning capacity, medical expenses, and long-term care needs. These presentations are an effective tool for communicating complex economic damages to courts or opposing parties.

6. Court Testimony & Depositions

OAS experts can provide crucial testimony in court or during depositions. Their objective assessments and clear explanations help attorneys present a compelling case and provide reliable evidence that supports the full scope of damages.

7. Demonstrative Evidence

OAS provides demonstrative evidence, such as charts, graphs, and other visual aids, to help present complex information in a clear and understandable way. These visuals can be particularly helpful in making the financial and medical aspects of a case more tangible to juries and judges.

Successful Outcomes with OAS's Expertise

OAS has been involved in numerous landmark cases, helping attorneys secure substantial verdicts and settlements. Some notable outcomes include:

  • $102 million verdict in a catastrophic injury case in New York.

  • $165.97 million verdict in a case involving cerebral palsy and missed signs of abuse.

  • $40.19 million verdict for a quadriplegic victim due to a product liability case.

  • $6.85 million settlement for a worker who suffered an above-the-knee amputation.

These cases demonstrate the critical role that vocational and life care planning services play in ensuring that injured individuals receive fair compensation for both present and future losses.

Why Work with OAS Inc.?

OAS has been a trusted partner for legal professionals for over five decades, offering:

  • Experience: With more than 50 years of expertise, OAS has the depth of knowledge needed for even the most complex cases.

  • Comprehensive services: From vocational evaluations to life care plans, OAS provides a full spectrum of services to support attorneys in documenting all aspects of damages.

  • Objective and reliable analysis: OAS provides data-driven, unbiased assessments that are designed to stand up in court.

  • Proven success: OAS's reports and testimonies have contributed to high-value verdicts and settlements in significant cases.

Conclusion

Accurately documenting the full scope of damages in personal injury and disability cases requires specialized expertise. Vocational experts and life care planners are essential in determining both the financial losses and long-term care needs of the injured party. By partnering with OAS Inc., attorneys gain access to comprehensive services that help ensure their clients receive the compensation they deserve.

Contact OAS Inc. today to learn how our vocational expert and life care planning services can support your case and enhance the outcome for your clients. With decades of experience and a commitment to precision, OAS is the trusted choice for handling complex injury claims.