Spring 1997 issue of the Expert Witness newsletter (volume 2, issue 1)

Contents:

  • Predicting the Adult Earning Capacity of Minors
    • by Faizal Sharma
    • In this article Faizal Sharma sheds light upon the complex issue of predicting the potential income stream of a minor who has been injured. He explains that recent studies show a stronger correlation between parents’ income and that of their children than had previously been expected. The child’s level of education is positively correlated with the parent’s education and is negatively affected by being part of a non-traditional family.
  • BOOK REVIEW: John Barnes, Sports and the Law in Canada, 3rd Edition (Butterworths: Toronto) 1996
    • Reviewed by Christopher Bruce
    • In this article Cristropher Bruce reviews a book that examines the state of sports law in Canada.
  • Spousal Influence on the Decision to Retire
    • by Scott Beesley
    • In this article Scott Beesley notes that the respondents to surveys do not expect the influence of their spouse to be large in terms of choice of retirement age. He also reports that surveys of those who have yet to retire tend to suggest that this factor plays a much stronger role.
  • Lost Years Maybe, Lost Care – Never
    • by Heber G. Smith
    • In this article Heber Smith discusses the importance of providing adequate compensation for an injured plaintiff for whom a diminished life expectancy is projected. He reviews Revenue Canada changes, which have reduced the risk of the insurer, thus making them more willing to negotiate in these matters.
  • Determination of Contribution to Household Services
    • by Therese Brown
    • In this article, various complexities arising from the determination of the loss of household services in personal injury or fatal accident actions are explored by Therese Brown in the next article. While it is pointed out that information specific to the individual is preferable, average statistics are frequently relied on as well.
  • The “Lost Years” Deduction
    • by Christopher Bruce
    • In this article Christopher Bruce deals with the current issue of appropriate compensation for the “lost years” of a plaintiff with reduced life expectancy. One of the approaches discussed includes the view that the plaintiff should be compensated for the lost earnings which remain after the cost of necessities is deducted. Further clarification is required on this issue to establish an estimated cost for “necessities.”