Vocational Rehabilitation Expert Assesses Damages For Paralyzed Nanny

This case involves a full-time nanny who was rendered paralyzed after a slip and fall accident in a mall. The floor near a flight of stairs had recently been mopped by the janitorial staff but no wet floor signs or other warning had been placed in the vicinity to indicate danger. As the nanny was approaching the stairs, she slipped and fell down the flight of stairs, injuring her head and spinal chord. She was rushed to the hospital and eventually pronounced paraplegic. The nanny was previously responsible for the full-time care of 3 children ranging in ages from 6 months to 7 years old. Due to her injuries, she is no longer able to perform her job and cannot find work. A vocational rehabilitation expert was sought to complete both a rehabilitation assessment and assessment of her loss of earnings.

Question(s) For Expert Witness

1. Please briefly describe your experience completing both rehabilitation assessments and calculating the loss of earnings.

Expert Witness Response E-100734

I have performed hundreds of vocational assessments for injured individuals and evaluated their abilities to perform their past occupation(s) and other occupations. I have provided reports on the financial impact of such individuals who cannot perform their jobs in the same capacity as they used to. I have also provided reports on individuals who have had to transition careers and how that transition eroded their earnings potential. I can evaluate how an injury will impact an individual's work-life expectancy and I use a methodology to calculate total earnings lost. Depending on the occupation and the level of skill the work requires, there are formulas I use to determine losses based on the age the individual is, their ability to return to work and how long they are able to work for. I also incorporate other costs such as the lost benefits associated with their former position.