Dr. Powers pioneered vocational assessments for persons with a brain trauma/concussioncommencing in 1983 and continues to the present day as a Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist and Vocational Expert in a diverse array of injuries that impact employability.
Dr. Powers specializes in conducting psycho-vocational assessments, which include behavioral inventories, aptitude and achievement and cognitive ability test batteries, psychological screening tools and occupational interest inventories. He consults with organizations in the public and private sectors as well as for law firms and government agencies throughout the Province of British Columbia, Alberta and other parts of Canada and the Pacific Northwest of the United States of America. His experience includes expert testimony on identifying quantum residual employability related to cases involving personal injury, medical negligence, divorce, sexual assault/ abuse and worker injury appeals.
Dr. Powers has presented on many occasions at conferences and symposiums nationally as well as internationally. He has 15 years’ experience as a university instructor and lecturer. Dr. Powers has strived to educate colleagues and those entering the rehabilitation psychology field on the methodologies that ensure ethical and effective vocational outcomes. With over 40 years’ experience conducting assessments on post injury employability for persons recovering from both acquired and traumatic brain injury, sexual assault/trauma, vicarious traumas, complicated orthopedic injuries. post-traumatic stress disorders, and in identifying suitable future employment options in these circumstances. Crown organizations such as ICBC, WorkSafe BC and Worker’s Compensation Boards in Alberta, Northwest Territories, Manitoba, Ontario as well as various government ministries, insurance companies and law firms have referred clients for psycho-vocational assessments. Dr. Powers has been accepted as an expert witness in the Supreme Courts of British Columbia and the Yukon, Alberta and in Washington State USA.
The Honourable Madam Justice E.A. Arnold-Bailey: “Dr. Powers impressed the Court as a skilled professional in his field with a good knowledge of vocational rehabilitation. In this case the Plaintiff has done well at present to mitigate an income loss from his employment. However, I find that Dr. Powers has realistically assessed the Plaintiff’s employment situation with its attendant risks, both in terms of him continuing to be able to perform his present duties to a satisfactory level, the risks he faces in the future …and his likely difficulty in finding other comparable employment.”
Palangio v. Tso,
2017 BCSC
1573
The Honourable Mr. Justice Ball “…the opinions given by Dr. Powers were not challenged in cross-examination.”
Tougas v. Mostat,
2020 BCSC 1281
Contact Dean at 604-877-1200 or email at deanpowers@dcpowers.com
