Economics Expert Reviews Damages For Construction Injury

Case Overview

This case involves a 47-year-old construction worker who was injured while working on a commercial project site. The worker’s leg became entangled in the blades of a trenching machine and required amputation on-site. An expert in forensic economics was sought to opine on the worker’s damages and loss of income.

Questions to the Economist expert and their responses

Please describe your background in forensic economics.

I have a PhD in economics and 43 years experience as an economics professor. I also have 29 years experience in forensic economics.

How would you calculate loss of earnings and future income for individuals with injuries like the one described?

I use large government databases to create alternative models of earning capacity prior to injury based on the plaintiff's earning history, demographics, estimates of survival probability, the probability of labor-force participation, employment, hours worked per week and annual earnings -- factors which I reduce to present expected value. I then model post-injury earnings based on above variables plus the probability of recovery. It appears that the plaintiff would have a permanent partial disability.

About the expert

This expert has over 40 years of teaching experience and 30 years of consulting experience as an economist, specializing in forensic economics. He is currently an independent consultant as well as a professor emeritus of economics at a local university. He teaches courses in the economics of discrimination, statistical analysis, and economic forecasting.