Nicole Liska

I am a Principal at Fulcrum Inquiry, an accounting and economic consulting firm that performs damage analysis for commercial litigation, forensic accountings, financial investigations, and business valuations. I hold an ABD and MA in economics from the University of California, San Diego. I perform damages analyses and serve as a damages expert witness. My resume is on Fulcrum's website.

Most commented posts

  1. What statistics can tell us about the ditching of L.A.’s “Gold Card Desk” — 1 comment

Author's posts

Sometimes it’s the reputation, not the money

When a nursing home faces alleged medical malpractice, it may often be the case that the individual lawsuit is not the biggest economic problem it faces.  The Rainbow Beach Nursing Center in Chicago is currently defending itself against a wrongful death lawsuit.   Two doctors caring for Sonia Eli at the nursing home each filled out …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://betweenthenumbers.net/2013/01/sometimes-its-the-reputation-not-the-money/

A Mistake Reveals an Economic Reality

A slew of new federal taxes related to the Patient Protection Affordable Care Act (PPACA) took effect January 1, 2013.  Like most taxes, the tax imposers will try to mask the impact by aggregating them with other taxes.  Because consumers are used to paying some type of tax on practically everything, they are less likely …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://betweenthenumbers.net/2013/01/a-mistake-reveals-an-economic-reality/

First Statistics on the Dodd-Frank Whistleblower Program

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) just released its first annual report of the “Securities Whistleblower Incentives and Protection” (Section 922) created under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (aka “Dodd-Frank Whistleblower Program”).  To reportedly encourage employees to report complaints without fear of retaliation by their employer (e.g., getting fired), the …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://betweenthenumbers.net/2013/01/first-statistics-on-the-dodd-frank-whistleblower-program/

Fed reports a significant decline in net worth under two measures, but in different amounts

Last week, the media quickly dispersed the jaw dropping statistic just released by the Federal Reserve in its Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF):  household median net worth fell by almost 40% from 2007 to 2010, the mean fell almost 15%.   According to SCF, the median inflation adjusted net family worth (i.e.,  the value of its home(s), bank account(s) and retirement …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://betweenthenumbers.net/2012/06/fed-reports-a-significant-decline-in-net-worth-under-two-measures-but-in-different-amounts/

Going to the source

There are a plethora of business climate indexes available; however, a recent small business survey conducted by Thumstack.com and the Kauffman Foundation appears to be one of the few (or maybe the only) that actually use small businesses as the source of its results.  Thumstack.com and the Kauffman Foundation surveyed small business owners to understand …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://betweenthenumbers.net/2012/05/going-to-the-source/

Who is being polled matters

With the Republican primary  wrapping up and more attention placed on the national election, people are focusing on poll results.   Real Clear Politics (RCP), a well-known website that provides a plethora of poll results, just updated its summary of multiple polls’ results related to the general election:  Obama vs. Romney.    See summary table below.  Most …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://betweenthenumbers.net/2012/04/who-is-being-polled-matters/

The Quiet Surge in Bond Prices

Just recently, long term bond yields have been on the rise. Specifically, ten year Treasury bond yields just hit a five month high on Monday, March 19, 2012. (Late October 2011 was the last time it was higher.) Despite this recent yield hike, almost no one is talking about it. However, if this rising trend …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://betweenthenumbers.net/2012/03/the-quiet-surge-in-bond-prices/

Finally! A poll asks the question we really care about

Undoubtedly, one of the decisive issues in the upcoming November 2012 presidential election will be about taxes:  Should some pay higher taxes than others?  If yes, who, why, and how much more? Until recently, practically every national poll asked whether tax rates should be increased, decreased, or kept the same.   For example, one of the …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://betweenthenumbers.net/2012/03/finally-a-poll-asks-the-question-we-really-care-about/

Natural Disasters’ Economic Losses Hit Record High in 2011

In a recent report issued by Munich Re, a reinsurance group in Germany,  2011 was the costliest year in history for natural disasters with $380 billion in economic losses.   Although some believe that global warming will continue to increase both the number and the extent of natural disasters, this report shows that 2011 was more about the geographic location, and less about the cause …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://betweenthenumbers.net/2012/01/natural-disasters-economic-losses-hit-record-high-in-2011/

Misleading Survey Results from One of the “Top Notch” Polling Agencies

Last week, USA Today/Gallup published the results of its December 15 – 18, 2011 public opinion poll.  At the end of every year since 1948,  with the exception of 1967 and 1976, Gallup has asked the following (among other) questions: What man that you have heard or read about, living today in any part of the world, do …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://betweenthenumbers.net/2012/01/misleading-survey-results-from-one-of-the-top-notch-polling-agencies/