Personal economic damage cases can vary dramatically depending on the interpretation of actual data and the assumptions made by your expert.

The fact that people are assets with the ability to generate income for use by themselves and their families is often ignored. Like machines, people require maintenance, up-keep, overhaul, and repairs to keep them in operating condition. When a machine is destroyed, it no longer produces income, and the same is true for an individual. Forensic economics in personal injury and wrongful death actions focus on the measurement of a person's income producing ability and on the costs to maintain them in the best possible condition.

What economic elements should be included?

The elements of loss—wages, fringe benefits and retirement contributions—are seemingly straightforward. This however, is not usually the case.

• Sustainability of overtime
• Advancement opportunities
• Defined benefit retirement plans
• Historical labor force participation
• Tenure with the current employer
• Bonus compensation
• Stock options
• Business ownership
• Out-of-pocket employee expenses