What Exactly is a Vocational Expert Witness?
In a matter of seconds, a catastrophic accident can forever change every aspect of your life. Your serious injuries can significantly impact your financial livelihood. You may never be able to return to your old job. In fact, you may never be able to work again. What seems evident to you, however, may require proof from the responsible insurance carrier. This is exactly where a vocational expert steps in.
In some cases, your problems may arise from an on-the-job injury. Workplace safety is a serious issue, no matter what line of work you are in. The potential for a workplace injury always exists—whether climbing ladders on a construction site or regularly clicking away on an office computer. Regardless of how cautious you are on the job, there is always a possibility of an injury.
Common Workplace Injuries
The most common workplace injury is being struck by a falling object. Other common workplace injuries include:
- Slips, trips, and falls
- Muscle strains, frequently sustained from heavy lifting
- Repetitive strain injury, such as carpal tunnel syndrome
- Crashes and collisions, including vehicular accidents
- Exposure to loud noises
- Inhaling toxic fumes
- Fights
Who Are Vocational Expert Witnesses?
Your New Jersey personal injury attorney will hire a vocational expert to testify at your workers’ compensation hearing to help demonstrate whether you qualify for any type of employment. These experts are professionals who are knowledgeable about labor market conditions, the specifics of a range of occupations, and the impact that medical conditions can have on an injured person’s employability. They are typically certified rehabilitation counselors and have experience working with disabled persons.
Vocational experts offer an expert opinion on the longevity of the victim’s injuries and its impact on future job performance, as well as recommend needed workplace accommodations.
Only more serious cases generally qualify for the retention of a vocational expert. If your attorney sets you up to meet with a vocational expert, you will be required to go through a battery of tests. For example, some may deal with your hand-eye coordination – and dexterity. If you have language limitations, this will also become part of the evaluation.
Call a New Jersey Personal Injury Attorney
If you or someone you know has suffered any type of injury in an accident caused by the reckless or negligent actions of another driver, an experienced New Jersey personal injury attorney can help. Call Beninato & Matrafajlo Attorneys at Law, LLC at 908-248-4404 to schedule a free, complimentary consultation with our legal team today.
Dan T. Matrafajlo, Esq. is the Managing Member and Lead Partner at Beninato & Matrafajlo, Attorneys at Law, LLC, a New Jersey-based personal injury law firm with offices in Elizabeth and East Brunswick. With over two decades of experience representing clients in complex matters—including motor vehicle accidents, workers’ compensation, and wrongful death cases—he has recovered over $100 million on behalf of his clients and is known for securing significant results. He has also helped shape New Jersey personal injury law through notable Appellate Division decisions such as Hardison v. King and Frenklakh v. Lojek, with his litigation work featured in the New Jersey Law Journal, underscoring his authority in the field.
Mr. Matrafajlo was recognized as a Super Lawyers® Rising Stars honoree from 2012 to 2017 and is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum—an honor reserved for attorneys who have achieved multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements. Combining deep legal expertise with a client-focused approach, he provides strategic, results-driven representation while guiding clients through every stage of the legal process. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law and is admitted to practice in both New Jersey and New York.
