Coordinating Vocational & Economic Experts

Division of Expert Labor

Vocational experts evaluate functional capacity, transferable skills, labor market survey, and suitable occupations. Forensic economists translate occupational conclusions into dollar earnings using BLS/OEWS and related data, work-life expectancy, fringe benefits, and present value.

An economist who assigns post-injury earnings to a occupation the vocational expert did not endorse creates cross-examination vulnerability. Coordination is not optional in capacity cases.

Recommended Sequence

• Medical/IME evidence establishes functional restrictions
• Vocational expert identifies pre- and post-event suitable occupations
• Economist reviews draft vocational report before finalizing earnings levels
• Economist assigns BLS/OEWS wages to vocational occupations
• Both experts address labor force participation consistently
• Final reports issued with cross-references between experts

Common Coordination Failures

Economist uses sedentary occupation when vocational expert limited to light duty. Work-life expectancy reduced for disability in economic report but not vocational report. Household services hours inconsistent with total disability assumption. Life care plan includes full-time caregiving while economist assumes part-time employment.

Joint Retention vs. Separate Experts

Some firms offer combined vocational-economic services; most use separate specialists. Future Earnings Expert focuses on economist placement; vocational referrals can be discussed during intake. Independence under FRE 702 requires each expert's opinions to be their own.

Discovery and Deposition Strategy

Depose vocational expert before economist when possible. Lock in suitable occupations and restrictions before economist testimony. Use vocational admissions to constrain opposing economist's occupational wage selections on cross-examination.