The Following People Contributed to This Page
Cindy Cordova is a seasoned legal writer with over seven years of experience crafting clear, informative, and professional content for law firm websites. With a B.A. in English from Trinity Christian College, she combines her strong writing background with a deep understanding of legal topics to help firms connect with their clients through trustworthy and accessible content.
- July 8, 2025
What Is a Vocational Expert and What Do They Do?
Quick Answer: A Vocational Expert (VE) is a professional with specialized knowledge in vocational rehabilitation, counseling, and job market analysis, who provides expert opinions on a person’s ability to work, especially in the context of disability claims. They analyze a claimant’s medical conditions, work history, education, and skills to determine if they can perform their past work or other jobs in the national economy. Their testimony is crucial in Social Security disability hearings and other legal proceedings.
Here’s a detailed explanation of a vocational expert’s role and why they are needed:
- What They Are: Vocational Experts are professionals who specialize in understanding how a person’s medical conditions, education, work experience, and skills interact with the demands of various jobs and the realities of the job market. They provide an objective assessment of a claimant’s work capacity.
- Analyze Medical Records and Work History: VEs meticulously review a claimant’s medical reports, treatment records, and detailed work history. This helps them understand the claimant’s physical and mental limitations, as well as the demands of their past jobs.
- Assess Job Skills and Transferability: They evaluate a claimant’s acquired job skills and abilities. A key part of their role is to determine if these skills can be transferred to other types of employment, even if the claimant now has significant work-related limitations.
- Evaluate Job Availability: VEs analyze current job market data to identify specific jobs that a claimant could potentially perform. They consider various factors such as the physical and mental demands of the job, educational requirements, and the claimant’s experience.
- Provide Expert Testimony: Vocational experts offer impartial testimony in Social Security disability hearings, personal injury cases, workers’ compensation disputes, and other legal proceedings. Their expert opinion explains their findings regarding a claimant’s ability to work.
- Consider Various Factors: When assessing a claimant’s work capacity, VEs integrate numerous factors, including the claimant’s age, level of education, work experience, residual functional capacity (remaining abilities despite limitations), and the severity of their disability.
- Contribute to Economic Damages Calculations: In personal injury and workers’ compensation cases, VEs can play a significant role in determining economic damages. They help calculate the financial impact of lost earning capacity by assessing how an injury affects a person’s future ability to work and earn a living.
- Objective Assessment: VEs provide an objective evaluation of a claimant’s work capacity, which is crucial for decision-makers (judges, juries, or administrative law judges) who need an unbiased perspective, separate from the claimant’s or their legal representative’s viewpoint.
- Expertise in Job Market: Their specialized knowledge of vocational rehabilitation and current job market trends allows them to identify suitable employment opportunities that might not be obvious to laypersons, even for individuals with significant limitations.
- Support for Disability Claims: Their expert testimony and analysis are often critical in supporting or opposing a disability claim, directly influencing the determination of eligibility for benefits.
- Expert Witness in Legal Cases: Vocational experts are frequently called upon to provide expert witness testimony in various legal settings where a claimant’s ability to work and earn wages after an injury or illness is a central issue.
If you think a vocational expert might be important in your case, you can speak with a personal injury attorney to learn more. To discuss your situation, call The Orlow Firm at (646) 647-3398 for a free consultation.
How Does a Vocational Expert Help in Personal Injury Cases in NYC?
In a NYC personal injury case, a vocational expert helps explain how an injury affects a person’s ability to work. Their main job is to give clear, unbiased opinions about a person’s job skills, earning capacity, and future employment options after being hurt.
After an accident, some injuries prevent people from returning to their old jobs or working at all. A vocational expert looks at these situations and helps answer important questions such as:
- Can the injured person still do their old job? The expert compares the job’s physical and mental demands with the person’s current abilities.
- Are there other jobs the person can now do? If they can’t return to their original job, the expert may suggest lighter or different work they might qualify for.
- How much money could they earn now? The expert may estimate future income and compare it to past earnings to show how much has been lost.
In New York City, where jobs vary widely—from office work in Manhattan to construction work in Queens—this analysis can be very detailed. The vocational expert would consider the local job market, physical requirements of common NYC jobs, and how likely it is the injured person could find similar work in the area.
Vocational experts also prepare reports and may testify in court or at settlement negotiations. Their opinion can help show the long-term effects of an injury, especially when the other side disagrees about how serious the injury is or how much money should be paid.
For example, if someone in NYC suffers a spinal injury after a car accident and used to work in a warehouse, a vocational expert could show that they can no longer do heavy lifting. The expert might then explain that the person would need to take a lower-paying desk job, leading to significant lost future income. This helps the court or insurance company understand the real financial impact of the injury.
By providing this specialized job and wage information, vocational experts help make sure injured individuals in NYC receive fair consideration for the long-term effects of their injuries. If you think a vocational expert might be important in your case, you can speak with a personal injury attorney to learn more. To discuss your situation, call The Orlow Firm at (646) 647-3398 for a free consultation.
Why Are Vocational Experts Important in Disability Claims?
Vocational experts play a key role in disability claims by helping to determine whether someone can still work after an injury or illness. These experts look at more than just medical records. They also consider a person’s job history, skills, education, and the job market. This helps the court or agency decide if a person is truly unable to work and should get disability benefits.
In New York City, where many jobs are physically and mentally demanding, vocational experts help show how an injury affects someone’s ability to earn a living. Their input is especially important in Social Security Disability cases and private long-term disability claims. Here’s how they help:
- Evaluate work ability: They review a person’s medical records and work history to determine what kinds of jobs, if any, the person can still do.
- Analyze job market data: They research the local job market, looking at the types of work available in NYC and whether any of those jobs match the person’s current ability.
- Identify transferable skills: If someone cannot go back to their old job, a vocational expert may find other jobs that use similar skills but require less physical effort.
- Explain findings to the court: Vocational experts often testify in hearings, using simple terms to explain whether the person’s injury prevents them from working.
For example, imagine someone who worked construction in Brooklyn and suffers a serious back injury. A vocational expert might confirm that the physical demands of construction are no longer safe. They could also explain whether lighter-duty jobs in areas like Staten Island or the Bronx are a realistic fit, based on the person’s background and physical limits.
In short, vocational experts help make the disability claims process fairer by offering clear, fact-based opinions. Their role helps judges and insurance companies understand just how much an injury impacts someone’s ability to work and earn a wage. If you or a loved one is making a disability claim in New York City, the insights of a vocational expert may play a big part in the case outcome.
How Do Courts Use Vocational Expert Testimony?
Courts in New York use vocational expert testimony to help understand how an injury affects a person’s ability to work. These experts provide opinions that can impact decisions about compensation in both personal injury and disability cases.
Vocational experts are often called to testify when someone claims they can’t return to work after an accident. The court uses their input to decide how much a person’s injury has affected their earning potential. Their opinions can help judges and juries understand complex job-related issues in simpler terms.
Here are some specific ways courts use vocational expert testimony:
- Assessing Job Skills: The expert looks at the injured person’s past jobs, education, skills, and experience to see what kinds of work they can still do—if any.
- Evaluating Ability to Return to Work: Based on medical records and the person’s current physical or mental limitations, the expert explains if they can return to their old job or switch to a new one.
- Estimating Lost Wages: The expert may calculate how much income someone has lost due to the injury and how much they may lose in the future if they can no longer work or must take a lower-paying job.
- Reviewing Labor Market Conditions: In New York City, where job markets can vary by industry and location, the expert considers if suitable jobs are actually available given the person’s condition and qualifications.
For example, if a construction worker in NYC suffers a spine injury, a vocational expert could explain whether light-duty jobs exist in the field or if retraining for a new type of work is possible. They might show that the injury prevents the person from returning to any physically demanding job, which could lead to higher compensation.
Judges and juries rely on the expert’s analysis to make informed decisions, especially when the other side questions whether someone is truly unable to work. The expert’s testimony helps make sure the injured person’s financial losses are fairly evaluated.
If you or a loved one is involved in a personal injury or disability case in NYC and work ability is in question, a vocational expert may play a key role in your legal outcome. To learn more about how this applies to your case, contact The Orlow Firm at (646) 647-3398 for a free consultation.
What Qualifications Do Vocational Experts Typically Have?
Vocational experts play an important role in personal injury and disability cases, but not just anyone can serve in this position. These professionals must meet certain qualifications to give opinions in court. Their background must show that they understand how injuries or disabilities can affect a person’s ability to work.
Here are the typical qualifications vocational experts have:
- Educational Background: Most vocational experts have at least a master’s degree in fields such as vocational rehabilitation, psychology, counseling, or a related area. Some may also have degrees in occupational therapy or special education.
- Work Experience: They usually have several years of experience helping people return to work after injuries. This may include working in job placement, vocational counseling, or rehabilitation services.
- Special Training: Many vocational experts receive ongoing training in labor market trends, job requirements, disability law, and career counseling. This helps them stay up-to-date with changes that impact employment decisions.
- Certifications: While not legally required, many vocational experts choose to earn professional certifications. One common certification is the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC). This shows they meet national standards in vocational rehabilitation.
- Knowledge of Local Job Markets: Especially in a diverse and complex city like New York, a good vocational expert needs to understand local industries, wages, and work opportunities. They must be able to explain how an injury affects job choices in NYC’s unique job market.
- Testifying Experience: Courts often look for experts who have testified before and are comfortable presenting clear, unbiased opinions. They must be able to explain their findings in a way that judges and juries can easily understand.
In a personal injury or disability case, a vocational expert’s qualifications matter. Their findings can help determine whether someone can return to work, and if so, what kind of job they can do. In New York City, where job roles and pay can vary widely, having a qualified vocational expert can make a big difference.
If you have questions about how a vocational expert might be involved in your case, The Orlow Firm is here to help. Call us at (646) 647-3398 for a free consultation.
Can a Vocational Expert Affect the Outcome of My Case?
A vocational expert can play a major role in how your personal injury or disability case turns out. Their opinion can influence how much compensation you may receive, especially if your injury affects your ability to work.
In personal injury cases, courts often need to understand how an injury impacts your job skills and future earning potential. This is where a vocational expert comes in. They look at your education, work history, physical abilities, and the local job market—especially in New York City—to determine if you can still work and how much you might be able to earn.
Here are some ways a vocational expert may affect your case:
- Showing lost earning capacity: If you can no longer do your old job because of an injury, the expert may explain how much income you are likely to lose over time.
- Explaining job limitations: They can describe how your injury limits your ability to work certain jobs or hours. This can support your claim for damages.
- Reviewing retraining options: The expert might say whether you could be retrained for a new job or if your injury makes that unlikely.
- Responding to opposing claims: If the other side brings their own vocational expert, your lawyer may call in a vocational expert to challenge or explain why their opinion isn’t accurate.
In disability claims, especially Social Security Disability or long-term disability cases, a vocational expert may testify about whether you can work any job at all. In these situations, their opinion may help prove that your condition makes it impossible to stay employed, which can be key to winning benefits.
In New York City, where jobs and wages vary widely, a skilled vocational expert can offer insights specific to the local market. This makes their input even more important, especially in cases involving specialized skills or high-cost living areas.
Whether their testimony helps you or not can depend on how clear, detailed, and realistic their analysis is. That’s why working with an attorney who understands how to use vocational experts effectively can make a big impact on your case.
If you have questions about whether a vocational expert might help your personal injury or disability case, call The Orlow Firm at (646) 647-3398 for a free consultation.
When Might You Need a Vocational Expert in New York?
There are several situations where a vocational expert may be needed in a personal injury or disability case in New York. These experts offer opinions about a person’s ability to work after an injury or illness. Their insight can be especially helpful when it’s unclear how serious injuries affect a victim’s future job prospects or earning potential.
Here are some times when a vocational expert might be used:
- Lost Earning Capacity Needs to Be Proven: If you’re seriously injured and can’t return to your previous job, a vocational expert can help explain how your ability to earn income has changed.
- The Injury Limits Your Job Options: If your injury keeps you from doing physical labor or certain job tasks, the expert can identify what kinds of work, if any, are still possible.
- You’re Applying for Disability Benefits: When filing for Social Security Disability or other long-term benefits, a vocational expert may be asked to give an opinion on whether you can work in any role at all.
- The Defense Disagrees About Your Ability to Work: In some cases, the other side may argue that you can return to work. A vocational expert hired by your legal team can explain why your injury still prevents you from working.
- Your Case Goes to Court: If a personal injury claim or disability case goes to trial, vocational experts may be brought in to testify about job limitations, wages, and future work potential.
For example, imagine a construction worker in New York City who suffers a severe back injury. If the injury prevents physical labor and limits job options, a vocational expert can evaluate what jobs, if any, the worker can do and how much income those jobs might bring in. This helps the court understand how the injury affects future earnings.
Vocational experts are especially useful in cases that involve long-term or permanent disabilities. Their opinions can help a judge or jury better understand what kind of work is realistic after an accident—and what kind of financial support the person may need moving forward.
If you or a loved one are facing a complex injury or disability case in New York, and questions about future employment have come up, you may benefit from having a vocational expert involved.
What’s the Difference Between a Vocational Expert and a Medical Expert?
Vocational experts and medical experts both play important roles in personal injury and disability cases. However, they focus on very different things. Understanding the difference can help you better prepare if you’re involved in a legal case in New York City.
Medical experts focus on your health. They are doctors or other healthcare professionals who review your injury or illness. They may treat you, review medical records, and give their opinion on how your condition affects your body. A medical expert testifies about things like:
- The type and extent of your injury
- Whether your injury was caused by an accident
- Your ability to recover over time
- What treatments you need or may need in the future
Vocational experts focus on your ability to work. They are trained in areas like job placement, employment trends, and wage analysis. They help the court understand how your injury affects your ability to get or keep a job. A vocational expert might testify about:
- The types of jobs you can or cannot do after your injury
- How much you could realistically earn compared to before the injury
- What training or education you would need to return to work
- The availability of jobs in the New York City area
In many legal cases, both medical and vocational experts may be used. First, a medical expert explains your physical or mental condition. Then, the vocational expert uses that information to assess how your injury affects your job options and earning ability.
Imagine a construction worker in Brooklyn who suffers a serious back injury. A medical expert might say the injury prevents heavy lifting. A vocational expert would then explain how that limitation affects the person’s ability to work in construction or other fields, and what new jobs, if any, they might qualify for.
In short, medical experts answer, “How injured are you?” and vocational experts answer, “How does this injury affect your ability to work?” Both are often needed to help build a full picture in personal injury or disability cases in NYC.
How Is a Vocational Expert Chosen for a Legal Case?
In a legal case involving personal injury or disability, a vocational expert is usually chosen because of their ability to evaluate how an injury affects a person’s ability to work. The way a vocational expert is selected depends on the type of case, the court, and the specific issues involved.
Usually, one of the following parties will choose a vocational expert:
- Attorneys : Lawyers for either the plaintiff (injured person) or the defendant (such as an insurance company) may hire a vocational expert. The attorney will choose someone who can clearly explain how the injury affects the person’s ability to work now and in the future.
- Court-appointed : In some cases, especially in disability claims, the court or judge might call in an independent vocational expert. This expert is not hired by either side, and their role is to give neutral, fact-based opinions.
- Administrative Agencies : In Social Security Disability cases, the Social Security Administration often uses vocational experts during hearings. These experts give opinions on what types of jobs a person can still do, given their limitations.
Attorneys hiring vocational experts often look for professionals with:
- Experience in job placement or vocational rehabilitation
- Understanding of labor markets, especially in New York City
- Knowledge of physical and mental requirements for different jobs
- Training in evaluating job skills, earning capacity, and long-term employment prospects
Before a vocational expert is used in a case, both sides may review their background, reports, and opinions. Sometimes, the opposing side may object if they believe the expert is not qualified or is biased. It’s up to the court to decide whether the expert can testify.
In New York City, where the job market is large and complex, it’s important that vocational experts are familiar with local job availability, wages, and employment trends. A reliable vocational expert can provide useful insight into whether an injury limits someone’s ability to return to work or earn a living.
Choosing the right vocational expert—and understanding how they’re used—can be a key part of proving damages in a personal injury or disability case. If you’re involved in a case that may require expert testimony, speaking with a qualified attorney can help you understand all your options.
If you have questions about how a vocational expert could impact your case, contact The Orlow Firm at (646) 647-3398 for a free consultation.
FAQs About Vocational Experts in NYC Personal Injury and Disability Cases
- What does a vocational expert do in a personal injury or disability case? A vocational expert looks at your ability to work after an accident or illness. They review your job history, skills, education, and medical condition. Then, they figure out if you can still work and earn money. If you can’t return to your old job, they may suggest other jobs you can do, or show that you can’t work at all.
- Are vocational experts used in NYC personal injury cases? Yes. In New York City, vocational experts are often used when injuries affect your ability to work. For example, if a construction worker hurts their back and can no longer lift heavy materials, a vocational expert might explain how that injury limits work options and income.
- What’s the difference between a medical expert and a vocational expert? A medical expert explains your physical or mental health issues. They talk about your diagnosis and how it affects your daily life. A vocational expert builds on that by looking at how your health affects your ability to do a job, earn money, or find new work.
- How is a vocational expert chosen for a case? In most cases, lawyers on either side hire their own vocational experts. Sometimes the court appoints one. The expert must have training in job analysis, labor market trends, and working with people who have disabilities or injuries.
- Can a vocational expert influence the outcome of my case? Yes. A strong report or testimony from a vocational expert can affect how much compensation you receive. They provide clear evidence about how your injury affects your ability to earn money now or in the future.
- Do I need a vocational expert if I already have a doctor’s report? Possibly. A doctor explains what’s wrong medically. A vocational expert explains how that affects your ability to earn a living. For serious injuries or long-term disabilities, having both can make your case stronger.
- Are vocational experts used in Social Security Disability cases too? Yes. In Social Security Disability hearings, a vocational expert may testify about what types of jobs—if any—you can still do. The judge will use that information to help decide if you qualify for benefits.
- Can the other side challenge the vocational expert’s opinion? They can. Lawyers from the insurance company or defense side may try to show that the expert made errors or used incorrect job data. That’s why it’s important to work with someone who uses solid methods and facts.
- What makes a vocational expert qualified? Most vocational experts have training in rehabilitation counseling, psychology, or vocational evaluation. They often hold certifications and have experience analyzing jobs, wages, and labor markets in places like New York City.
- When should I talk to a lawyer about using a vocational expert? If your injury keeps you from working or has lowered your income, it’s a good idea to speak with a lawyer. At The Orlow Firm, we help clients in NYC understand when a vocational expert could support their case. For guidance specific to your situation, call us at (646) 647-3398 for a free consultation.
Need Help With Your Case? Contact The Orlow Firm for a Free Consultation
If you’re dealing with a personal injury or disability case in New York City, you may have heard the term “vocational expert.” These professionals play a key role in many cases, especially when your ability to work has been impacted. If you’re unsure how this applies to your situation or whether a vocational expert could help your claim, The Orlow Firm is here to help you understand your options.
At The Orlow Firm, our attorneys work with qualified vocational experts as part of building strong cases for our clients. Whether you were injured in an accident, hurt on the job, or are applying for disability benefits, we can help determine if a vocational expert could be helpful in your case.
Our team can:
- Explain the role of a vocational expert and how their analysis applies to your case.
- Evaluate how your injuries affect your ability to work , both now and in the future.
- Work with the right experts to show the true impact of your injuries on your job and earning ability.
- Use expert reports and testimony to support your claim in court or during settlement talks.
Every case is different. You may need a vocational expert to show that you can no longer do your old job, or that you can only work in a job that pays much less. This evidence can be important when seeking fair compensation for lost wages or when applying for benefits based on disability.
If you have questions about your personal injury or disability case and whether a vocational expert could make a difference, don’t wait. Call The Orlow Firm at (646) 647-3398 for a free, confidential consultation. We’re here to listen, explain your options, and guide you through the legal process with care and clarity.
The Following People Contributed to This Page
Cindy Cordova is a seasoned legal writer with over seven years of experience crafting clear, informative, and professional content for law firm websites. With a B.A. in English from Trinity Christian College, she combines her strong writing background with a deep understanding of legal topics to help firms connect with their clients through trustworthy and accessible content.
