These reports are prepared for plaintiff and defense bar members along with long term disability (LTD) providers. A standard methodology may be utilized in each case.
The RAPEL method of assessing relevant elements for determining vocational damages (if any) is one such standard methodology. Weed and Field (2001) described the use and function of the RAPEL method of transferable skills analysis, labor market access, and earnings capacity analysis. The word RAPEL is a mnemonic designed to assist the rehabilitation expert, in which R stands for rehabilitation plan, A stands for access to the labor market, P stands for placeability, E stands for earning capacity, and L stands for labor force participation. The process assesses the injured worker’s vocational and functional limitations, vocational strengths, emotional functioning, and cognitive capabilities in preparation for rehabilitation planning. The evaluation will include a presentation of a vocational rehabilitation plan if appropriate, determination of labor market access from a transferable skills analysis, placement possibilities, documentation of earning capacity, and the presentation of an appropriate worklife expectancy scenario. Within this process the Vocational Diagnosis and Assessment of Residual Employability (VDARE) process and the McCroskey Vocational Quotient System (MVQS) is usually utilized (MVQS Volcano 9.0 and MVQs Handbook for Analyzing Jobs-Revised 4-30-2009 by Billy J. McCroskey, Ph.D.).