RPC Calculation of Present Value Damages Consultants
Ronald T. Luke
JD, PhD
President
Brian Piper
PhD
Senior Consultant
Angela VanDerwerken
PhD
Senior Consultant
Peggy Hamilton
CPA
Senior Consultant
Calculation of Present Value
For either medical or vocational damages it is necessary to calculate damages in future dollars and then discount these future damages to present value as of the time of trial. RPC has expert economists who are able to bring all damages calculations to present value. We compute different inflation rates for specific goods, services and wages. Our procedures ensure consistency between the inflation and discount rates used. The time series data used in these calculations of damages are continuously updated as government agencies publish new statistics. We also take the particular facts of each case into consideration to ensure the most accurate data and practices are used in our calculations.
For more information, contact Athenna Dill, Personal Injury Case Manager, 512.371.8005, adill@rpcconsulting.com.
RPC Calculation of Damages and Present Value Blogs
Changes to Florida Law on Past and Future Medical Expenses in Personal Injury Cases
On March 24, 2023, Florida House Bill 837, became law. It has an impact on the valuation and recovery of damages for past and future medical care in personal injury cases. HB 837 allows defendants to discover and introduce evidence regarding allowable amounts for commercial insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid which the jury can consider in awarding medical damages.
The Importance of a Vocational Expert in Calculating Loss of Earning Capacity
Loss of earning capacity is often a major element of economic damages. In personal cases when the plaintiff alleges a significant loss of earning capacity due to physical or cognitive impairments from an injury, a vocational expert can reliably determine what, if any, post-injury jobs the plaintiff can perform and the earnings from those jobs.
Six Questions to Ask Vocational Experts (Yours or Theirs)
Loss of earning capacity can be a major element of damages requiring the plaintiff and the defendant to retain vocational experts. By asking vocational experts the right questions, attorneys can expose weaknesses in their reports and opinions. Here are six key questions to ask your vocational expert or an opposing vocational expert, and what you may learn from the answers.