The ECAF-2 aids vocational rehabilitation evaluations by providing a method to guide the process of evaluating a claim of loss of earning capacity.

Features and benefits

• Facilitates expert witnesses’ ability to quash Daubert challenges. Favorably peer-reviewed in authoritative forums.
• Promotes objectivity, standardization, and systematic consideration of factors pertinent to evaluation of loss of earning capacity claims.
• Can be used in forensic cases in which there are allegations of acquired disabling problems or related claims of loss of earning capacity. It can be particularly useful when loss of earning capacity is evident but difficult to quantify, such as with individuals injured at birth or early in their careers, those who have not realized their full earning capacity, those who may experience degenerative problems and/or other vocational handicaps, and those who lack a demonstrated earnings record.
• The 14 factors measured by the ECAF-2 were developed based upon literature review of four different disciplines: Psychology, economics, career development, and vocational rehabilitation.  In addition, there was a decade of empirical research on reliability and validity. Because it is based heavily on science, it has more withstanding power in a court of law and can help stand up to vigorous cross examination.

When should you use the ECAF-2?

• Useful with clients with either physical or cognitive problems such as amputations, spinal cord, orthopedic, or musculoskeletal injuries.
• Your client is proceeding with a claim that their disability has impaired their ability to work, earn wages, and compete in the marketplace either now or in the future.
• Case example: A 53 year old firefighter had a hip injury from an MVA. She had to have a hip replacement and her claim was for future earning capacity as the artificial hip would impair her ability to work as a firefighter.  The ECAF-2 evaluated 14 key criteria to determine that the claim was merited.

Sample Reports