Graduate Economics Credentials for South Carolina Damages Cases

By Christopher Skerritt, M.Ed., MBA, Chief of Economic Services · Published · Reviewed

South Carolina courts ask whether the economist is qualified by training and experience, whether the opinion rests on a reliable basis, and whether it will assist the fact finder, under a reliability inquiry of the state's own that does not adopt the federal test. An economic damages report meets that inquiry by showing the published basis for each assumption and its application to the record. A graduate degree in economics, finance, or business is the first element of that inquiry: it establishes training in the methods the opinion uses, and experience and the testimony record establish that the economist applies them reliably.

Recognition and qualification in South Carolina

State recognition: Recognized nationally; no state licensure applies. There is no state license for forensic economists to check, so counsel verify the credential with its issuer and review the economist's testimony record directly.

Education is examined the same way in South Carolina as in any other venue: the question is whether the degree covered the tools the opinion actually uses. A master's or doctorate in economics supplies the theory of wages, labor supply, and market behavior behind a lost earnings or lost profits analysis, and an MBA or a master's in finance supplies the financial mathematics, valuation, and financial statement analysis behind a business valuation or a divorce financial analysis. For a matter venued in South Carolina, counsel can read the degree against the report: an opinion on present value, worklife, or household services sits squarely inside an economics degree, while a valuation opinion should be backed by valuation training or recognized valuation credentials as well. The degree is confirmed from the transcript or the institution, and it is weighed together with the economist's testimony record rather than on its own.

KW Economics economists apply nationally recognized methods while accounting for South Carolina's wage levels, venue, and damages rules.

South Carolina courts and venues

Economic damages experts testify in South Carolina's courts, where qualification is decided case by case on education, method, and experience rather than on any single credential.

Highest court: Supreme Court of South Carolina. Federal venues: D.S.C. Court system: sccourts.org.

Forensic economists for South Carolina matters

KW Economics provides forensic economists for South Carolina damages matters, including remote consultation, report preparation, and deposition or trial testimony where the case is venued. Contact us to discuss availability for your matter.

Other credentials in South Carolina

Frequently asked: qualifying a forensic economist in South Carolina

How do South Carolina courts qualify a forensic economist?

South Carolina courts ask whether the economist is qualified by training and experience, whether the opinion rests on a reliable basis, and whether it will assist the fact finder, under a reliability inquiry of the state's own that does not adopt the federal test. An economic damages report meets that inquiry by showing the published basis for each assumption and its application to the record. Recognized nationally; no state licensure applies. There is no state license for forensic economists to check, so counsel verify the credential with its issuer and review the economist's testimony record directly.

More questions about this credential

References

Request a consultation on South Carolina damages matters or call (201) 343-0700. Plaintiff and defense counsel.