Research & Publications

Damages: Estimating Pecuniary Loss (Chapter 5)

by Cara L. Brown

Chapter 5 - Estimating the Impact of Disability

Chapter 5 uniquely focuses on data regarding the impact of a permanent partial or full disability on employment, and it offers alternatives to the traditional "career A" versus "career B" comparison, focusing instead on the impact of wages regardless of career. The economic impact of disability on employment and earnings is shown by degree of severity of injury from the 1991 Health and Activity Limitation Survey (HALS) and the 2001 Participation and Activity Limitation Survey (PALS). This has never before been published. Specific topics in Chapter 5 focus on the statistical impact of disability impact on labour force participation, hours worked and earnings, the effect of other sources of income on the labour force participation of disabled individuals, and how to properly apply HALS/PALS data in the civil litigation context. The legal concept of mitigation is also explored since it can have ramifications for assessment purposes.