When someone experiences an injury or chronic illness that affects their ability to work, the fallout isn’t just physical—it’s personal, emotional, and financial. And for attorneys, insurers, or vocational rehabilitation specialists trying to support these individuals, the big question is:
“What kind of work—if any—can this person realistically do now?”
At Hankins & Hankins Vocational Consulting, answering that question is at the core of what we do. But it’s not as simple as scanning a résumé or plugging numbers into a software tool. Our roles as labor market access analysts, forensic vocational consultants, and vocational expert witnesses require a deeper dive—into people, data, and possibility.
In this blog, we’ll take you behind the scenes of what it means to truly understand work capacity—and how we help our clients rebuild a vocational path that’s both realistic and empowering.
Why Traditional Career Assessments Fall Short After Injury
In many career guidance scenarios, a résumé, a few interest inventories, and an aptitude test might be enough to suggest a new direction. But when someone has been seriously injured or limited by a medical condition, that approach won’t work.
Work Capacity Is About More Than Skill
After an injury, someone’s ability to return to work depends on a unique mix of factors:
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Physical and cognitive limitations
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Psychological resilience
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Transferable skills
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Local labor market conditions
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Potential for retraining
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Workplace accommodations
Our job is to look at all of these aspects in combination—and that’s what sets a labor market access analyst apart.
The Role of a Labor Market Access Analyst
As labor market access analysts at Hankins & Hankins, our first step is to determine whether and how a client can return to the workforce. We assess both their current vocational profile and the realistic opportunities available to them in their local or remote labor market.
Real-World Analysis with Real Impact
We examine:
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Functional capacity evaluations
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Medical reports and physical restrictions
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Vocational testing and interest inventories
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Transferable skills from past work
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Educational background and certifications
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Live labor market data from reliable sources (like BLS, O*NET, and job postings)
By combining this information, we build a detailed picture of the types of jobs the individual could reasonably pursue—and what kind of earnings they could expect in those roles.
Our findings form the foundation for settlement negotiations, return-to-work plans, vocational rehabilitation strategies, and, when needed, legal testimony.
Forensic Vocational Consultant: Translating Vocational Loss into Legal Evidence
When legal cases involve lost wages, diminished earning capacity, or disputed disability claims, a forensic vocational consultant becomes essential. This is where our work meets the courtroom.
Objectivity Meets Advocacy
As forensic vocational consultants, our role is to:
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Evaluate loss of earning potential after injury or illness
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Assess vocational barriers and rehabilitation options
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Quantify damages based on realistic earning projections
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Prepare detailed reports that can be used in legal proceedings
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Support attorneys with expert insights during depositions and discovery
Our assessments are data-driven, well-documented, and built to hold up under scrutiny. While we are often hired by either plaintiff or defense, our opinions remain neutral and evidence-based.
A True Interdisciplinary Approach
We collaborate with:
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Medical experts (to understand physical limitations)
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Psychologists or neuropsychologists (for cognitive or emotional barriers)
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Economists (for lost wage projections)
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Rehabilitation counselors (for retraining feasibility)
By working as part of the broader legal or rehabilitation team, we help ensure that no vocational stone is left unturned.
Vocational Expert Witness: Bringing Clarity to the Courtroom
When vocational issues become central to a case—and especially when they are disputed—our team is often called upon to serve as vocational expert witnesses. This role goes beyond writing reports; it involves translating complex vocational issues for judges, juries, or arbitrators.
Communicating the Human and Economic Impact
Vocational expert witnesses must explain:
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The individual’s pre- and post-injury earning capacity
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Why specific jobs are or aren’t suitable now
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The timeline and cost of potential retraining
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Regional labor market realities and hiring trends
At Hankins & Hankins, our expert witnesses are trained not only in vocational evaluation but also in expert testimony practices. We present findings clearly and confidently, even under aggressive cross-examination.
Real Case Example: More Than a Résumé
Let’s take a real-world (but anonymized) example to illustrate the process.
Client: Joe, a 52-year-old HVAC technician injured in a fall.
Injury: Severe lower back damage, permanent lifting and bending restrictions.
Previous Salary: $75,000 annually.
Medical Outcome: Cleared for light-duty, sedentary work only.
How We Helped
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As labor market access analysts, we reviewed Joe’s transferable skills and found they matched roles in HVAC estimating and energy efficiency consultation.
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As forensic vocational consultants, we calculated his post-injury earning potential ($52,000/year) and provided evidence of the wage gap.
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As vocational expert witnesses, we testified in court about his job limitations and local labor market prospects, helping the court understand why he could not simply “go back to work” in his old trade.
Outcome: A settlement that covered retraining, wage differential compensation, and future lost earnings.
Why Work with Hankins & Hankins?
Our clients—whether attorneys, injured individuals, insurers, or employers—rely on us for clear, defensible, and compassionate vocational expertise. Here’s what sets us apart:
Tailored vocational evaluations (no cookie-cutter reports)
Court-tested expert testimony
Labor market research grounded in real-world data
A commitment to ethics and impartiality
Experience across diverse industries and disabilities
We understand that each case represents a human life, not just a number—and we approach every evaluation with the seriousness and care it deserves.
Final Thoughts: Vocational Experts Are Storytellers of Work and Worth
At Hankins & Hankins Vocational Consulting, we believe our job isn’t just about documenting limitations—it’s about identifying possibilities. Whether we’re analyzing access to jobs, quantifying damages, or testifying in court, we’re telling a story about someone’s work life—and helping shape their next chapter.
If you need a labor market access analyst, forensic vocational consultant, or vocational expert witness, our team is ready to bring clarity, credibility, and compassion to your case.
Ready to Get Started?
Contact Hankins & Hankins Vocational Consulting today:
[Hankins & Hankins Vocational Consulting]
We help people move forward—because everyone deserves a second chance at meaningful work.