For a counting process adapted to its observed history , a predictable counting-process intensity specifies
or more generally is a local martingale. In survival analysis, let record failures and record the risk set, including subjects at their own observation time. Under independent right censoring and a common hazard function , the aggregate intensity is , where and .
Writing , the conditional increment equation is . Replacing by the observed increment gives the Nelson–Aalen estimator
where ranges over the distinct observed event times. Censored observations remove subjects from subsequent risk sets but do not produce hazard jumps.
For these data the Nelson–Aalen estimator gives
Thus the six fitted cumulative hazards sum to , the number of observed failures.
The event-count identity for Nelson–Aalen cumulative hazards follows by exchanging the finite sums. With everyone entering at time zero,
This includes each failure subject in its own risk set. A delayed-entry dataset requires a different risk indicator and is not covered by this particular identity.
Under a constant hazard survival model, . Imposing the same identity gives the events divided by exposure estimator
Its fitted cumulative hazards at the six times are , again summing to four. It is also the maximum-likelihood estimate under independent right censoring, since the parameter-dependent likelihood is . This is a sensible estimate if the exponential survival model is appropriate, but four failures give little precision. The event-count identity by itself does not validate constant hazard; the large final jump in the Nelson–Aalen estimator also reflects a risk set of one, rather than by itself proving an increasing hazard.