Depositions & Trial Testimony

Depositions & Trial Testimony By Vocational Experts

Depositions and trial testimony are common services provided by vocational experts. By providing depositions and trial testimony, vocational experts can help attorneys to present strong and well-supported cases for disability benefits.

As a part of their expertise, vocational experts may be called upon to provide depositions and trial testimony in disability cases. A vocational expert may be asked to provide a deposition to explain their findings and recommendations from a vocational evaluation, or to provide expert testimony on topics related to employment and earning potential.

During a trial, the vocational expert may be called upon to provide testimony as an expert witness. This may involve explaining their findings and recommendations from a vocational evaluation, or providing expert testimony on topics related to employment and earning potential.

The expert’s testimony may be used to help a judge or jury understand the individual’s work abilities and earning potential, and to make a determination about the appropriate level of disability benefits. 

What Do Vocational Experts Testify About?

Vocational Experts testify in a wide variety of case types such as workers’ compensation disability appeal hearings, personal injury cases, long-term disability claims, etc..

Vocational Rehabilitation Experts know about job availability in the current labor market and the skills needed to perform certain jobs. They are also experts in medical conditions and disabilities. Their expertise is the nexus between medical conditions, functional limitations and occupational demands.

Simon Group Consulting’s 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.

What Should Attorneys Consider When Hiring A Vocational Expert Witness

Attorneys should consider a number of factors when hiring a vocational expert. Some of the key considerations include:

1. Expertise: It is important to choose a vocational expert who has specialized knowledge and many years of 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 work restrictions, functional limitations, transferable skills and ability to compete in the labor market.

2. Credentials: Attorneys should look for a vocational expert who has the appropriate credentials and qualifications to perform vocational 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).

3. Objectivity: It is important to choose a vocational expert who is objective and unbiased in their assessment. The expert should not have any conflicts of interest or any personal or professional stake in the outcome of the evaluation.

4. 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 serve as a vocational expert witness. When it comes to choosing a vocational expert witness, attorneys should consider the experience and qualifications of the vocational expert.

Experience Is Expertise

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 one of the most highly qualified and experienced California vocational experts who has a proven track record in as a vocational rehabilitation expert witness. 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.