Laura Weir

April 8, 2021

ACTLA Presentation – Income Replacement Benefits

ACTLA Lunch & Learn Prepared by: Laura J. Weir, MA Economica Partnership March 25, 2021 Income Replacement Benefits In the sections below, I provide the notes I used to discuss various types of income replacement benefits and issues that may arise with respect to these benefits when estimating a plaintiff’s loss of income. Please note… Continue reading

Article, Laura Weir
September 27, 2019

Summer 2019 issue of the Expert Witness newsletter (volume 23, issue 1)

Contents: In this issue of The Expert Witness, we present two articles: From the Desk of Christopher Bruce: Farewell Christopher Bruce publishes his final Expert Witness newsletter. In this article, Chris writes about his achievements and the founding of Economica. Selecting the Productivity Factor In this article, the economists discuss the real rate of growth earnings,… Continue reading

Christopher Bruce, Derek Aldridge, Kelly Rathje, Laura Weir, Newsletter
August 1, 2019

A Word from the Consultants of Economica

We would like to say thank you to Dr. Christopher Bruce. You have been a great mentor for us throughout our careers with Economica. You have provided direction, leadership, advice, and have groomed us to be one of the leading firms in the industry. Your knowledge, guidance, and support throughout the years have been a… Continue reading

Article, Christopher Bruce, Derek Aldridge, Kelly Rathje, Laura Weir
August 1, 2019

Selecting the Productivity Factor

One of the most important determinants of the plaintiff’s future earnings is the rate at which those earnings will grow. There are two broad determinants of this rate. First, each individual benefits from increases that arise from gains in experience, promotions, and job changes. Second, as the economy grows, the earnings of all individuals rise… Continue reading

Article, Christopher Bruce, Derek Aldridge, Earnings, prediction of, Kelly Rathje, Laura Weir, Newsletter
May 11, 2017

Selecting the Discount Rate (2017)

Recently Economica undertook a detailed re-evaluation of our recommendations concerning the discount rate. We argue that plaintiffs have available two alternative methods of investing their awards for future losses. In the first, which we call the annuity approach, plaintiffs use their awards to purchase life annuities or structured settlements. In the second, which we call… Continue reading

Article, Christopher Bruce, Derek Aldridge, Discount rates, Kelly Rathje, Laura Weir

newsletter (volume 21 issue 1)
December 1, 2013

Estimating the Income of an Aboriginal Plaintiff: Recent Evidence

In this article, we discuss the average income, educational attainment, unemployment, and participation rates of aboriginal Canadians (relative to non-aboriginals), as well as the economic outcomes of aboriginal peoples living on reserves. We then outline the adjustments to the income estimates, based on the latest census data, we feel are reasonable. Continue reading

Article, Earnings of Aboriginal peoples, Laura Weir

newsletter (volume 17 issue 1), Structured Settlements
December 1, 2012

The Discount Rate Simplified

In this article, which was written collaboratively by Christopher Bruce, Laura Weir, Kelly Rathje, and Derek Aldridge, we begin by setting out a number of criteria that we believe should be met when selecting the discount rate. We ultimately conclude that a portfolio of Government of Canada bonds of varying maturity dates meets our criteria.… Continue reading

Article, Christopher Bruce, Derek Aldridge, Discount rates, Kelly Rathje, Laura Weir

Discount Rates, newsletter (volume 16 issue 1)
March 1, 2008

The Discount Rate Revisited (Spring 2008)

This article reports on our latest survey of discount rates. We conclude that no changes to our existing discount rate assumptions are warranted, though a reduction in our long-term rate may be necessary in the future if the observed long-term rates remain significantly lower than our assumed rate. Continue reading

Article, Christopher Bruce, Derek Aldridge, Discount rates, Kelly Rathje, Laura Weir

Discount Rates, newsletter (volume 13 issue 1)

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