What can the defendant's decision to retain an economist tell you about their settlement position?

Published in Journal of Legal Economics, Volume 5, Number 2, Fall 1995 pp.57-65.

Based on this article, the authors analysis suggest that using a defense economist may suggest that the defendant is getting closer to settlement...

An excerpt for the article:

Defendants may use a defense economist for at least two reasons. First, defense attorneys may recognize that without a professional review of damage claims, they may be subject to malpractice suits for not making every effort to mitigate damages. Secondly, insurance companies, in an attempt to reduce the cost of claims, may become less willing to settle without first having a defense economist review the plaintiff’s demands...