Personal Injury Expert Services in Florida
KWVRS provides personal injury vocational and life care planning analysis for attorneys handling cases in Florida. KWVRS provides forensic economic analysis with its affiliated firm, Kincaid Wolstein Economics.
Overview
Personal injury cases encompass a broad range of physical and psychological harms arising from negligence. Vocational, economic, and life-care experts quantify the functional, earnings, and care consequences of the injury.
Vocational and economic impact
A vocational evaluation establishes residual functional capacity, transferable skills, and labor market options consistent with post-injury medical restrictions. The analysis supports earning capacity opinion and accommodation planning.
Damages may include past and future lost earnings, loss of earning capacity, lost household services, lost fringe benefits, and present value of any needed life care plan.
Florida courts and expert standards
Personal Injury matters in Florida are litigated in the state's trial courts, with vocational, life care planning, and economic testimony evaluated under Florida's expert evidence standard. KWVRS prepares reports and testimony that account for these requirements.
Where these cases are heard
- Circuit Court - General jurisdiction; civil matters over $50,000, felonies, juvenile delinquency and dependency, divorce, probate, guardianship
- County Court - Limited jurisdiction; civil cases up to $50,000, small claims up to $8,000, misdemeanors, traffic, landlord-tenant
Highest court: Florida Supreme Court. Federal venues: N.D. Fla., M.D. Fla., S.D. Fla.
Sources: Florida Courts, Trial Courts - Circuit: circuit courts are trial courts with general jurisdiction and hear criminal felonies, juvenile delinquency and dependency, divorce, probate, guardianship and civil matters over $50,000 (reviewed 2026-10-12); Florida Courts, Trial Courts - County: county courts have limited jurisdiction and hear small claims cases up to $8,000, traffic offenses, landlord-tenant disputes, misdemeanors and monetary disputes up to $50,000 (reviewed 2026-10-12); Florida Legislature, Florida Statutes, jurisdiction of county court: actions at law not exceeding $50,000 if filed on or after January 1, 2023 (reviewed 2026-10-12); Florida Courts, District Courts of Appeal: each district court of appeal and the circuits it hears cases from (reviewed 2026-10-12); Florida Courts, Court Structure: the Supreme Court of Florida is the highest court in the state (reviewed 2026-10-12)
Attorney guides for personal injury cases
Other case types in Florida
Frequently Asked Questions
When is a vocational evaluation warranted in a personal injury case?
A vocational evaluation is typically warranted when the injury is alleged to have reduced the claimant's earning capacity or ability to sustain competitive employment, or when future employability is contested.
What is the difference between lost earnings and loss of earning capacity?
Lost earnings reflect actual wages the claimant did not receive. Loss of earning capacity is a broader vocational concept reflecting the difference between pre-injury and post-injury capacity to earn, regardless of whether that capacity was being fully realized prior to injury.
Are household services losses always included in personal injury damages?
Household services losses are considered when the claimant performed unpaid services (childcare, home maintenance, meal preparation) that the injury now prevents. Valuation uses time-use data and local replacement service rates.
References
- BLS Occupational Employment StatisticsGovernment
- BLS American Time Use SurveyGovernment
- O*NET OnLineGovernment
- Florida Courts, Trial Courts - Circuit: circuit courts are trial courts with general jurisdiction and hear criminal felonies, juvenile delinquency and dependency, divorce, probate, guardianship and civil matters over $50,000 (reviewed 2026-10-12)Government
- Florida Courts, Trial Courts - County: county courts have limited jurisdiction and hear small claims cases up to $8,000, traffic offenses, landlord-tenant disputes, misdemeanors and monetary disputes up to $50,000 (reviewed 2026-10-12)Government
- Florida Legislature, Florida Statutes, jurisdiction of county court: actions at law not exceeding $50,000 if filed on or after January 1, 2023 (reviewed 2026-10-12)Government
- Florida Courts, District Courts of Appeal: each district court of appeal and the circuits it hears cases from (reviewed 2026-10-12)Government
- Florida Courts, Court Structure: the Supreme Court of Florida is the highest court in the state (reviewed 2026-10-12)Government
Ready to Get Started on personal injury cases in Florida?
Contact KWVRS to discuss scope, timing, and the deliverables appropriate to the matter. Plaintiff and defense.