The Value of Household Services: Why Forensic Economists Matter in Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Cases

When a client suffers serious injuries or in the case of a wrongful death, economic damages extend beyond medical expenses and lost wages. One critical overlooked component is the loss of household services—everyday tasks that maintain a functioning home and support family members' wellbeing.

 What Are Household Services?

Household services include activities such as:

·        Interior cleaning and maintenance 

·        Meal preparation and kitchen management 

·        Home repairs and yard maintenance 

·        Grocery Shopping 

·        Household management and financial administration 

When injury or death prevents someone from performing these services, families face significant economic burdens. 

The Expert Team Approach 

Effectively documenting and valuing household service losses may require collaboration between multiple experts in addition to testimony: 

Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist/Life Care Planner 

·        Identifies specific household tasks the person can no longer perform 

·        Documents pre-injury capabilities and post-injury limitations 

·        Projects how these limitations may change over time 

·        May Recommend appropriate replacement services and their cost 

Forensic Economist 

·        Projects future costs considering inflation and changing household needs 

·        Calculates present value of lifetime service losses 

Working together, these experts create a comprehensive and defensible valuation. If you need assistance in presenting or rebutting household services as an element of economic loss, our team of vocational experts and lifecare planners along with our consulting economist can provide the expert services you need.