Permanent Total Disability Evaluation
We assess injured workers’ ability to secure & maintain gainful employment. This assists in the determination of whether they are permanently and totally disabled from the workforce.
Diminished Future Earnings Capacity
(DFEC) Evaluations
DFEC Evaluations & Vocational Experts
In California’s workers’ compensation system, a Diminished Future Earning Capacity (DFEC) evaluation is a process used to determine the impact of an injury or disability on an individual’s ability to work and earn a living. This evaluation may be conducted by a vocational expert who has specialized knowledge and experience in evaluating the work abilities and earning potential of individuals with disabilities or injuries.
The vocational expert will consider a variety of factors in conducting the DFEC evaluation, including the individual’s work history, education, skills, and any limitations or restrictions that may impact their employability. The vocational expert typically will also review the individual’s medical records and functional capacity evaluations, as well as analyze the local job market and identify potential job opportunities that may be suitable for the individual.
Based on this assessment, the expert will provide an estimate of the individual’s earning potential in the job market, taking into account any impact of the injury or disability on the individual’s work abilities. The expert’s findings and recommendations will be used to inform the decision on the appropriate level of permanent disability benefits to be awarded to the applicant.
Overall, a DFEC evaluation is an important tool for determining the impact of an injury or disability on an individual’s ability to work and earn a living, and can be a valuable resource for attorneys representing injured workers in disability cases.
What Should Attorneys Consider When Hiring A Vocational Expert To Perform A DFEC Evaluation
Attorneys should consider a number of factors when hiring a vocational expert to perform a Diminished Future Earning Capacity (DFEC) evaluation. Some of the key considerations include:
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Expertise: It is important to choose a vocational expert who has specialized knowledge and experience in evaluating the work abilities and earning potential of individuals with disabilities or injuries. This expertise will be invaluable in accurately assessing the individual’s DFEC and providing reliable recommendations for benefits.
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Credentials: Attorneys should look for a vocational expert who has the appropriate credentials and qualifications to perform DFEC evaluations. This may include a degree in a related field, such as rehabilitation counseling, and certification from a professional organization, such as the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC).
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Objectivity: It is important to choose a vocational expert who is objective and unbiased in their assessment of the individual’s DFEC. The expert should not have any conflicts of interest or any personal or professional stake in the outcome of the evaluation.
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Communication skills: The vocational expert should be able to clearly and effectively communicate their findings and recommendations to the attorney and any other relevant parties. This may involve presenting written reports, providing testimony in legal proceedings, and answering questions or concerns.
Overall, attorneys should look for a vocational expert who is knowledgeable, qualified, objective, and effective in communication when hiring them to perform a DFEC evaluation.
Experience Is Expertise
When it comes to choosing a vocational expert to perform a Diminished Future Earning Capacity (DFEC) evaluation, attorneys should consider the experience and qualifications of the vocational expert.
Scott Simon has an impressive 40 years of experience in the field of vocational rehabilitation. He has performed or supervised over 18,000 vocational evaluations, including over 3,000 DFEC evaluations. Mr. Simon has also completed over 300 depositions and testified in over 4,000 cases.
Mr. Simon has a Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling. Additionally, Mr. Simon is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC), which is a widely recognized credential in the field of vocational rehabilitation.
Mr. Simon has a strong track record of helping individuals with disabilities or injuries to return to work and achieve their career goals. He has administered over 15,000 vocational rehabilitation plans, which are detailed documents outlining the steps and resources needed to help individuals with disabilities or injuries to return to work. .
Overall, Mr. Simon is a highly qualified and experienced vocational expert who has a proven track record in DFEC evaluations. Attorneys who are seeking a reliable and trustworthy expert for their DFEC cases should consider hiring Mr. Simon for his experience, expertise and excellence as a vocational rehabilitation expert witness.
Simon Group Consulting Vocational Experts
Simon Group Consulting specializes in Vocational Rehabilitation Expert Witness services for trial preparation. Our experts have over 40 years of vocational experience and are trial-tested in numerous venues.
As vocational experts, we believe that it is our responsibility to provide an effective presentation of our opinions to attorneys specializing in workers compensation and personal injury cases. Our goal is to educate these attorneys about the impact of the client’s injury on their ability to compete in the local labor market in light of their medical and/or psychiatric restrictions.
We strive to present this information clearly and comprehensively, in order to help the attorneys understand the full extent of the impact of the client’s injury on their ability to work and earn an income.
As vocational experts, we have specialized knowledge and training in the field of work and employment. We are familiar with the current job market and the skills and requirements needed for various occupations. When called upon to provide testimony in workers compensation and personal injury cases, we use this knowledge to evaluate the client’s abilities and limitations, and to offer opinions on their potential to secure gainful employment.
In addition to providing testimony, we may also assist attorneys by providing vocational assessments, job analyses, and earnings capacity evaluations. These tools can help to paint a more complete picture of the client’s work-related abilities and limitations, and can be used to support the attorney’s arguments in court.
Overall, our role as vocational experts is to provide valuable insights and information that can help attorneys build strong cases on behalf of their clients. We strive to present our opinions in a clear and comprehensive manner, and to work closely with attorneys to ensure that all relevant information is considered in determining the best course of action for the client.
