When Careers Are Interrupted: How Vocational Experts Help Bridge the Gap

In today’s fast-moving economy, job loss or career interruption can happen suddenly — and for reasons no one anticipates. Whether it’s due to a workplace injury, chronic illness, psychological trauma, or unexpected life changes, thousands of individuals each year find themselves asking a difficult question: “What do I do now?”

At Hankins & Hankins Vocational Consulting, this is where our work begins.

As a team of labor market access analysts, forensic vocational consultants, and vocational expert witnesses, we help people — and the legal professionals representing them — understand what comes next after vocational disruption.

But more importantly, we help them build a bridge between who they were and who they can become in the workforce.

The Vocational Fallout of Injury and Illness

When someone experiences a disabling event, it’s rarely just about the injury itself. The ripple effect touches every area of life: income, purpose, social identity, routine, and family responsibilities.

From our experience, the biggest challenge clients face is vocational ambiguity — not knowing if they’ll be able to work again, in what capacity, or how they’ll support themselves or their families.

That’s where vocational consulting becomes more than just an evaluation — it becomes a critical support system for decision-making, legal clarity, and future planning.

 What Is a Labor Market Access Analyst?

Let’s start with the foundation. A labor market access analyst evaluates a person’s ability to obtain employment after a vocational disruption.

This involves analyzing their:

• Functional abilities post-injury

• Work history and transferable skills

• Education and training

• Current physical, mental, or cognitive restrictions

• Realistic job opportunities in their region (or remote options)

• Economic trends and employment forecasts

  The Hankins & Hankins Approach

Our labor market access analysis is deeply personalized. We never use one-size-fits-all solutions. Instead, we build detailed profiles using:

• Government databases like O*NET and BLS

• Up-to-date job postings in relevant industries

• Industry-specific knowledge of emerging trends

• Medical reports and evaluations

• Vocational testing, where appropriate

This allows us to determine not just what a client could theoretically do, but what they can realistically do in the current labor market — factoring in all limitations and supports.

 The Forensic Vocational Consultant: Bringing Objectivity to Legal Cases

When vocational issues intersect with legal claims — such as personal injury lawsuits, workers' compensation cases, or disability hearings — we serve as forensic vocational consultants.

Our role is to objectively assess and communicate vocational outcomes in legal contexts, including:

• Loss of earning capacity

• Employability post-injury

• Retraining feasibility

• Future vocational prospects

• Wage differentials between pre- and post-injury work

  Our Work in Legal Settings

We often partner with attorneys, insurance companies, or case managers to provide:

• Expert vocational evaluations

• Detailed written reports for court submission

• Consultation on the vocational aspects of damages

• Guidance on life care planning and job placement options

As forensic consultants, we’re not advocates for either side. Our credibility comes from our neutral, data-driven assessments, which are built to stand up in legal environments — including depositions, arbitration, and trial.

 The Role of a Vocational Expert Witness in Court

When our cases reach the courtroom, we are often called upon to serve as vocational expert witnesses.

This is where our communication skills meet our technical expertise. As witnesses, we explain to the court:

• Whether a person can return to gainful employment

• The types of jobs available to them (if any)

• What accommodations they would need

• Whether any retraining is realistic and time-bound

• Their residual earning capacity and projected wage loss

  Why Testimony Matters

Vocational loss is a complex and nuanced topic. Judges and juries don’t just need information — they need clarity.

At Hankins & Hankins, we pride ourselves on delivering:

• Clear, jargon-free testimony that educates without overwhelming

• Consistent, credible expert opinions based on decades of combined experience

• Confidence under cross-examination, thanks to meticulous preparation and research

We’ve testified in local, state, and federal courts, and our reputation is built on accuracy, fairness, and professionalism.

 Real-World Application: A Case That Changed a Life

Let us share a real example (with identifying details changed for confidentiality).

Client: Maria, a 41-year-old chef who sustained severe burns in a restaurant fire.

Challenges:

• Could no longer work in hot environments

• Had permanent mobility limitations in her arms

• Was facing a workers’ compensation dispute

  Our Process

1. Labor Market Access Analysis: We determined that while she could not return to kitchen work, she had transferable skills in food service management and customer relations.

2. Forensic Vocational Evaluation: We outlined her loss of earning capacity and retraining needs, including computer skills and office-based job readiness.

3. Expert Witness Testimony: We presented this analysis in court, illustrating her realistic path forward with clear labor market data and wage projections.

Outcome: Maria received a structured settlement and funding for training in hospitality administration. Today, she works as a catering coordinator and mentors others who’ve suffered workplace injuries.

  Why Attorneys and Clients Trust Hankins & Hankins

At Hankins & Hankins Vocational Consulting, we offer more than reports and testimony — we provide insight that helps people and professionals make life-shaping decisions.

Here’s what sets us apart:

   1. Unmatched Experience

Our team brings decades of hands-on experience in vocational rehabilitation, forensic analysis, and expert witness work. We understand both vocational science and courtroom standards.

   2. Evidence-Based Practice

We use nationally recognized methodologies, updated databases, and individualized assessments to ensure our findings are accurate and defensible.

   3. Clear, Customized Reporting

Our reports are built to inform — not confuse. We translate technical findings into accessible, understandable formats for attorneys, judges, juries, and clients.

   4. Human-Centered Approach

Above all, we never forget that behind every report is a person trying to rebuild. We treat every client with compassion and respect.

Final Thoughts: From Confusion to Clarity, From Setback to Strategy

Losing the ability to work as you once did is life-altering. But with the right support and guidance, it’s not the end of the story.

At Hankins & Hankins Vocational Consulting, we help people understand their options, assert their rights, and move forward with clarity. Whether you’re a legal professional needing a forensic vocational consultant, a client needing a labor market access analyst, or a case requiring an experienced vocational expert witness, we’re here to help.

Because careers don’t end with disruption — they evolve. And we’re here to guide that evolution with integrity, accuracy, and care.

Contact Hankins & Hankins Today
Visit [Hankins & Hankins Vocational Consulting] to schedule a consultation.
Let’s rebuild what’s possible — together.