If you’ve been injured due to the negligent actions or omissions of another person or entity, you are entitled to make a claim for various types of damages. While you may recover for medical bills incurred, you may also claim other expenses as well. For instance, if the incident has affected your ability to work, you are entitled to lost wages.
Lost wages consist of any money you would have otherwise earned had you not been injured. Though lost wages are often the result of physical injuries preventing someone from working, they can also result from physiological and psychological injury that has prevented you from working.
For some, lost wages may consist of a day or two that were missed while you were being treated at a hospital or waiting to see a family doctor. Others, however, can be out of work for quite some time after an accident. Either way, you are entitled to recover those lost wages. Even if you have a job that provides sick days or paid leave such as vacation or personal days that you can use, you are still owed the value of that lost time.
Though you might not know how long you’ll be out of work after an accident, it’s important to take action quickly. The longer you wait, the more difficult it can be to make your case. Evidence disappears. Your memory of the events starts to fade.
As soon as you’re medically stable, you should contact a personal injury attorney to discuss your situation and learn about your options. They’ll be able to give explain your options and the general process. The more serious your injuries are, the more complex the situation can be.
Lost Wages vs. Lost Earning Capacity
In some case, injuries require a short amount of recovery time. Sometimes, however, injuries can be severe enough that they may cause long-lasting effects that could permanently impact your ability to work. Even if you’re able to continue to work your current job, you may do so with restrictions that may prevent you from achieving future advancement or promotions.
For these situations, you may be entitled to a recovery for your lost earning capacity. This is typically a much more substantial amount of money because that impairment can affect you for the rest of your life.
Covering Lost Wages and Lost Earning Capacity
Economic damages like lost wages and lost earning capacity should be covered under general auto and liability insurance policies. More serious cases can quickly exceed these limits, especially when lost wages are factored in. A lawsuit may have to be filed against the responsible party to cover the full cost. Even if the other party has admitted fault and insurance coverage is present, it’s best to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible.
To make a lost wage claim, you will need to provide proper documentation, including letters from your employer and potentially your doctors. You may also need to provide proof of your past wages. If you are suffering from lost earning capacity, you may also need documentation from other employability and rehabilitation experts. While this sounds simple enough, responsible parties and their insurance companies have their own legal teams working to discredit your claims and pay you as little as possible.
You need someone who is working in your best interests. A personal injury attorney does just that. If you’re in need of a personal injury attorney in the Hamilton, Ohio area, we are here for you. The Richards Firm was founded to make the legal system more accessible to those who have suffered from injury or wrongful death.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about your options.