Recovering Lost Wages After an Injury: What You Can Claim

Lost wage claims include: past lost wages (income already missed), future lost wages (ongoing inability to work), lost benefits (health insurance, retirement contributions, bonuses), and reduced earning capacity (permanent limitations affecting career potential).

Self-employed individuals, commission workers, and those with variable income can also recover losses. Documentation methods differ but the right to compensation is the same.

Gather evidence of your income: pay stubs, tax returns, W-2s, employment contracts, and employer letters confirming missed time. For self-employed individuals, business records and tax filings establish income patterns.

Doctor's notes linking your inability to work to accident injuries are crucial. Keep records of all appointments and therapy sessions that caused you to miss work.

If injuries permanently limit your ability to work or advance in your career, you can claim reduced earning capacity. This requires expert testimony from vocational experts and economists.

Factors include: your age, education, work history, the nature of your injuries, and how they limit job options. A 30-year-old with career-ending injuries has greater losses than someone near retirement.

Beyond direct income, consider lost opportunities: missed promotions, inability to complete education, lost business opportunities, and career trajectory changes.

An experienced attorney ensures all income losses are identified and properly documented. Insurance companies often undervalue these claims without thorough presentation.