VOCATIONAL EXPERT:
Richard H. Andersen, M.S., C.V.E., C.R.C., C.D.M.S., of VECTOR, Inc.
Tamorah Hunt of Formuzis, Pickersgill, & Hunt, (714) 542-8853 served as the economist.

CASE BACKGROUND:
Plaintiff, a 17 year old female, suffered injuries the month of her high school graduation when her car collided with a police car. She sustained a traumatic brain injury, multiple sacral fractures, multiple left lower rib fractures, and acute traumatic splenic rupture. Due to the young age of Plaintiff, Andersen’s focus turned not only to her achievements, but also those of her parents. He discovered that the plaintiff’s parents held graduate degrees. Her parents were also successful professionals, owning and operating nine restaurants. They planned to divest themselves of ownership of these restaurants and transfer the ownership to Plaintiff and her older brother.

FOCUS ISSUE:
Andersen met with Plaintiff and confirmed she was investigating two career paths prior to the accident. One option was to obtain a bachelor's degree and enter her family's restaurant business, an opportunity that would have likely led to considerable future income. She also had another goal of becoming an Elementary School Teacher. It was clear to Andersen that Plaintiff was a young woman with a bright future full of different possibilities. Injuries from the accident, however, left her with cognitive deficits, chronic low back pain, and a limitation to sedentary or light work.

TRIAL TESTIMONY:
During the trial, Andersen presented the results from his research, effectively refuting claims made by the opposing vocational expert. Although the opposing expert concluded Plaintiff's vocational outlook was the same both pre- and post-injury, Andersen used his review of medical documentation, information from interviews with the plaintiff, vocational test results, and government studies on disabled workers to demonstrate how Plaintiff would now be unable to pursue either career path. Andersen determined Plaintiff could maximize her vocational future by workingas a Tutor, a less physically and intellectually demanding vocation related to teaching. Not only would this potentially be less satisfying than her pre-injury career choices, but she would also earn considerably less income. In addition, Andersen confirmed Plaintiff would experience a 25% loss of earning capacity throughout her work life (see graph), clearly demonstrating the unfortunate and significant impact of the accident.



ABOUT RICHARD ANDERSEN:
Richard Andersen holds national certifications as a Rehabilitation Counselor, Vocational Evaluator and Disability Management Specialist, with 37 years experience in vocational rehabilitation. He has also testified in Superior Court in 10 California counties. VECTOR, Inc. specializes in vocational rehabilitation counseling, disability research and forensic rehabilitation services, including vocational expert testimony on personal injury, medical malpractice, wrongful death, and harassment matters. The firm, founded in 1975, serves both plaintiff and defense attorneys, providing the link between the physician and the economist to precisely determine damages.