Many types of litigation involve loss of earnings or loss of earning capacity as an important element of damages. Experts on loss of earnings may have degrees in economics, accounting, public policy, business, vocational rehabilitation and related fields. These experts may consider the plaintiff’s education, work experience, age/race/gender, physical limitations, rehabilitation potential, local and national economic conditions and the condition of specific industries. When the injured party is self-employed, the expert will generally analyze the future prospects of the business. Depending upon the circumstances, the expert witness may rely in part on the opinions of other experts such as physicians and vocational consultants for purposes of assessing damages.