Expert Testimony
Vocational expert testimony is generally applicable in cases where an individual’s ability to work or sustain work has been impacted by injury (physical or emotional), divorce, or employment discrimination and must be remedied through a legal procedure. In this category The Remas Group will perform a forensic assessment of an individual’s wage-earning capacity pre- and post-incident. The vocational assessment is founded on regional labor market data, appropriate testing, thorough review of employment and medical records, as well as a face-to-face interview.

The Remas Group has been providing expert evaluation and testimony in deposition or trial for 18 years. We are familiar with all aspects of San Diego and regional labor market data and the impact impairment or job change will have on activities of daily living or a person’s ability to return to work. The scope of testimony has included a wide variety of physical as well as emotional conditions that are considered and compared to actual employment information. The data is based on city, county, state, and federal data and is pertinent to the specific case.

The evaluation is objective and well defined to accurately and realistically classify transferable skills and determine past, current, and future employability and a person’s probable earning capacity.

Mark Remas, MA, CRC is an experienced Vocational Expert who is often utilized to evaluate cases and present testimony to provide a Jury, Judge, A.L.J., or Mediator a clear understanding of an individual’s ability to compete in the labor market.

Family Law Evaluation
Unfortunately not every marriage will last a lifetime. In the spousal dissolution process there may be question as to the earning capacity of either spouse. The Remas Group is expert at determining an individual’s earning capacity based on education, work experience, the present labor market, general aptitudes, and available training options.

The vocational assessment is presented in a comprehensive report for a reasonable fee. If testimony is required we make ourselves available at the convenience of the court. The goal is to present information in a clear and reasonable format that is based on a sound foundation of identifiable labor market data. This objective information can be used by the parties or the judge to determine appropriate support, education benefits, and duration so that the family can transition as positively as possible.

Career Counseling
Statistically people will change jobs every few years and change careers two to three times in their lifetime. In order to make an effective career change it is best to understand what skills and aptitudes are present and how those skills and aptitudes will impact on the labor market and one’s earning capacity.

Whether you are just starting out in the work force or looking into new occupations, the most effective way to design a career path is to consult with a career counselor. A professional career counselor uses interest and aptitude measures to help identify your strengths. The information is used to focus the career search on the field of greatest interest and ability. Then the counselor will work with you to investigate the realities of the chosen occupation, such as, the salary scale, the training or education required, the employment outlook in your area, and the physical and emotional demands of the job. An effective career change requires a well-developed plan based on practical and realistic expectations.

The Remas Group has been in San Diego since 1984 and specializes in job placement and career counseling. Our counselors work with you on a one-to-one basis and emphasize a personal evaluation. Your needs and priorities are identified early and supported with interest and aptitude testing. Our goal is to identify and support you to find an appropriate job/career that you can pursue with satisfaction and success. The Remas Group provides the full scope of career counseling services from interest assessment through resume service, right down to actual employment recruiting.

Employer Support
There are a variety of federal and state laws that direct employers to consider accommodation for an individual with impairment. The accommodation could be required due to a medical condition or an injury. Regardless of the cause, once the disability is reported and the employer is aware of the condition, it falls on the employer to investigate possible accommodations and implement them if the employee requests accommodation and the cost is "reasonable".

The value of job accommodation is often found after an employee has suffered an injury at work. By offering modified or accommodated job tasks the employer is able to better control the cost of an injury claim while protecting the company productivity and morale.

The Remas Group has conducted expert job analysis since 1984 and consults with employers on reasonable means to modify a job or accommodate an employee with a disability. Most accommodations are under $500 and can be in the form of slight modifications of schedule, addition of simple equipment or just realignment of existing equipment.

By having a consultant perform the job accommodation evaluation the company is able to insure it is meeting state and federal regulations for accommodation review. The company is also able to keep valued employees productive while reducing the hidden costs of replacement labor, lost work time, and increase in insurance costs.

The Remas Group is able to provide the accommodation evaluation and documentation for the employer. Most reviews can be performed within a short time. For more information contact Mark Remas, MA, CRC at 858-560-6733.

Supplemental Job Displacement Benefit aka Voucher
California repealed the law requiring worker’s compensation vocational rehabilitation for employees injured on the job and unable to return to work. As of January 1, 2004 a person who is injured so severely that he or she is unable to return to his or her job is eligible for a benefit called the Supplemental Job Displacement Benefit. AKA "Voucher".

The worker becomes eligible for a Voucher sixty days after the medical treatment is completed or sixty days after temporary disability payments are stopped by the insurance company. The Voucher is "nontransferable" and is only to be applied to training expenses such as tuition, books, or supplies. The voucher is worth $4,000, $6,000, $8,000 or $10,000, depending on the severity of the injury and the permanent disability rating approved by a WCAB judge.

Unfortunately, the insurance company is not obligated to offer a Voucher until the permanent disability award is confirmed with the judge. This can leave the employee waiting to get started on a return to work program for many months after the doctor has stopped treatment.

The Remas Group provides vocational counseling to recipients of a Voucher and can assist in designing the most cost-effective and appropriate skill development program. The counseling fees are paid out of the Voucher and are not borne by the injured worker. If there is a delay in getting the Voucher the Remas Group counselors know how to work with schools and financial aid to get the training started and will work with the insurance company to establish the Voucher value and have it dispersed as early as possible.

Vocational Rehabilitation
Vocational rehabilitation is the type of recovery that addresses a person’s ability to work. It is called into action when a person develops barriers to activities of daily living, such as working. If a person develops impairments due to an injury at work prior to 1/1/2004 California requires the Worker’s Compensation insurance company to provide a vocational rehabilitation program.

Worker’s Compensation vocational rehabilitation is a return-to-work program that is coordinated by a vocational counselor and is to benefit the injured worker through testing, vocational training, and job placement assistance. This benefit allows an injured worker to use up to $16,000.00 to develop new skills and seek new employment. The Worker’s Compensation insurance company pays the cost of the vocational rehabilitation plan. This program offers incentives for employers to hire injured workers and can provide great support for work modification so that a person can return to their field of expertise but with adjusted equipment, such as voice-recognition software for computers, power tools, adjustable workstation, etc. (http://www.dir.ca.gov/dwc/rehab.html)

Another aspect of vocational rehabilitation is associated with the Veteran’s Administration. In the event an active duty service person is injured in the course of conflict or develops a life-changing impairment as a result of their military service there is a program to assist in their assessment and retraining. The government, within limits, covers the costs. (http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/)

The State Department of Vocational Rehabilitation provides services to individuals who develop physical or emotional impairments because of a disease or mental condition that is outside of work. A person is required to undergo an assessment and must meet eligibility criteria in order to receive the counseling and training services. The extent of support depends on the severity of the impairment(s). (http://www.rehab.cahwnet.gov/ )

In each instance, vocational rehabilitation is a pragmatic and expeditious program that is geared to help someone with an impairment who is facing a career change as a result of injury or medical/psychological conditions

The Remas Group has been providing vocational rehabilitation services since 1984 and has a professional staff consisting of Mark Remas, Nelly Katsell, and Larry Gonzales. The Remas Group has specialized in all phases of vocational testing through placement and can quickly address the needs of any party going through a vocational rehabilitation program.

Job Analysis
The Americans with Disabilities Act and the Fair Employment Housing Act require employers to review work performed by a person with a disability and provide accommodation if the employee is able to perform "the essential functions" of the job. It is important for the employer to have a clear definition of the essential functions and have a thorough job description.

The Remas Group is well seasoned in analyzing job tasks and work function to develop a written report specifying the essential functions, marginal functions and the extent of physical and and intellectual demands associated with a specific job or class of jobs. This is a valuable benefit to employers who want to protect themselves from possible civil litigation due to a failure to consider reasonable accommodation in the workplace.

The Remas Group performs this type of work on an hourly or contract basis depending on the needs of the company.