A note on using the workability index (WAI) to predict future earnings capacity losses in moderate to severe partial...

Disability experts are often called upon to analyze the economic impact of an injury. Determining future economic loss in cases of disabilities is difficult, particularly when the disabilities are considered partial in nature, and the individuals have some capacity to mitigate their future income losses. This paper examines one possible approach for examining reduced future income capacity in cases of partial disabilities, the use of the Work Ability Index (WAI) and Work Ability Scale (WAS).

Empirical data from one-hundred six cases is analyzed using a censored tobit regression to determine the relationship between scores on the WAI/WAS and verified long-term income losses for individuals who suffered disabling events.

The study found a high correlation between the scores obtained on both the WAI and WAS measures, and future economic loss. The results suggest that these scales may be very useful in analyzing reduced future income capacity in situations involving partial disabilities.

This study assists the rehabilitation and disability expert to better understand the implications of a moderate to severe disability on the future income capacity of an injured person. It also provides additional support for the validity of the WAI/WAS scales.