A personal injury can be physically and emotionally taxing. The most common and neglected aspect of this is lost wages. Whether you have missed work for a few days or quite an extended period, you can always file a claim to recover those amounts. Knowing how to claim lost wages will go a long way in ensuring your financial future is secured.
Scott Russell Law helps Monticello and Sullivan County residents navigate the complex process of personal injury claims against those who caused their injuries to ensure they receive rightful compensation
What Are Lost Wages?
Lost wages are the income that you would have earned had you not been injured and include regular salary or hourly wages, overtime pay that would have been earned, bonuses or commissions, and any work-related benefits such as vacation or sick pay. In other words, lost wages is to put you back in the same financial position that you were before the injury happened.
Document Your Losses
Proper documentation includes the following:
- Pay stubs, tax returns, or an employer’s statement reflecting your income
- Documentation proving time lost, such as a doctor’s note or a work schedule showing the hours missed
- Any benefits or bonuses lost that were tied to missed work
The more proof you have, the more credible your claim.
Determine Your Claim Type
Lost wage claims fall into two categories:
- Past wage loss- The amount of wages from the time of injury up to now.
- Future wage loss- If the injury impairs the person’s ability to earn wages in the future.
Calculating future wage loss is a complex process and will likely require expert testimony, especially in cases involving long-term injury or accidents that affect a career.
Consult a Personal Injury Lawyer
It’s difficult to navigate the maze of lost wage claims. Insurance companies rarely make it easy to get the full compensation one deserves and experience is key to making sure that does happen.
Why choose Scott Russell Law?
- Local expertise: Representing Monticello and Sullivan County residents for years, we know local courts, insurance adjusters, and employer systems.
- A personal touch: When you work with Scott Russell from beginning to end, your case receives the attention it deserves.
- Maximizing your recovery: We help to calculate the full compensation of your lost wages, medical bills, and other damages.
Filing Your Claim
Once you secure documentation and legal guidance, your attorney will help you to
- File a claim with the responsible party’s insurance company
- Negotiate settlements so that past and future lost wages are included
- Represent you in court if negotiations fail
An attorney can make sure you do not leave money on the table and that all damages are thoroughly documented.
Don’t go through this process alone if your injury has negatively impacted your income. With the right legal representation, you can recover these lost wages and focus on what is most important: your health.
Contact Scott Russell Law in Monticello, NY, today at (845) 791-9200 to schedule a consultation and protect your financial future.
