Earning Capacity Evaluations

Earning Capacity Evaluation (ECE) is an evaluation of an individual ability to work and earn wages prior to, and following of an event that is the subject of a disability or injury impairment. The key word here is ability. The evaluation is performed in a manner that is consistent with methodology. Also, Earning Capacity Evaluations provides information regarding lost wages and diminished (or lost) future earning capacity arising from injuries sustained in the event, which be a result of possible litigation. As a vocational expert, Healthways Services we provide an individual-specific analysis to provide objective evaluations of an individual ability to work and earn wages.

An Earning Capacity Evaluation is also used in Labor, Employment and Family Law, Domestic Relations, where the earning capacity of a spouse may be an issue.

An Earning Capacity Evaluation can be done in any case or claim where the ability to work and earn wages is in dispute. Healthways Services is also routinely retained in cases involving children, and young adults without an earning history.

An Earning Capacity Evaluation can also be done in a wrongful death case. While many attorneys believe that a forensic economist is the only expert who is capable of doing such an analysis, that is incorrect; since an earnings history alone may not always be presumptive of earning capacity, it often falls to the vocational rehabilitation expert to first evaluate the earning capacity of a decedent prior to the forensic economist’s involvement in the case.

When Should an Earning Capacity Evaluation Be Done?

An earning capacity evaluation should be done anytime an individual claims a permanent health impairment arising from injuries sustained in the event, which could result of possible litigation, and affect their ability to work. The presence of permanent impairment alone; however, does not mean that one has sustained a loss of earning capacity. Other factors, such as functional limitations arising from the impairment, must also be determined by the appropriate experts at Healthways Services.

Healthways Services experts are available for a free consultation to determine if all the data necessary to perform an evaluation has been provided at the time of referral, and if necessary, assist the referral source in gathering the necessary data for an Earning Capacity Evaluation to be completed.

Remember, any case or claim for lost wages, and the presence of a health impairment condition that could affect the individuals functional ability to work, which means it is necessary for an Earning Capacity Evaluation to be conducted.