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35 - Evaluation Decisions by Psychologists about Causation and Damages in Personal Injury and Employment Discrimination Cases

A Pragmatic Five-Stage Model for Courts

from Part V - Other Legal Decision-Making

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 February 2024

By
Jane Goodman-Delahunty  and
William E. Foote
Edited by
Monica K. Miller ,
Logan A. Yelderman ,
Matthew T. Huss  and
Jason A. Cantone
Monica K. Miller
Affiliation:
University of Nevada, Reno
Logan A. Yelderman
Affiliation:
Prairie View A & M University, Texas
Matthew T. Huss
Affiliation:
Creighton University, Omaha
Jason A. Cantone
Affiliation:
George Mason University, Virginia
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Summary

Psychologists are often called in personal injury and workplace discrimination cases to help determine the extent of psychological damages (e.g., psychological trauma). We apply a rigorous five-stage temporal model to guide forensic evaluators in providing a robust, evidence-based psychological perspective on the nature and extent of the injury, how that injury arose, and the effects of that injury in the future. Functionality of the plaintiff is assessed in daily activities, in the workplace, in intimate relationships, in social and recreational activities, and in relation to their family. Systematic analysis of the functioning of the plaintiff in these areas from the period before the legally relevant event until litigation concludes allows decisions to be made about the nature and source of any impairments. This method includes consideration of alternative hypotheses, integral to decisions about causation. Psychologists’ decisions thus affect outcomes for injured parties. Future research and practice implications are discussed.

Keywords

assessmentcausationcompensationdamagesexpert witnessforensic
Type
Chapter
Information
The Cambridge Handbook of Psychology and Legal Decision-Making , pp. 540 - 554
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2024

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