When you are injured during an accident due to someone else’s mistake, the financial and physical damages can turn your life upside down. No matter if it was a negligent property owner who did not maintain a safe premises or a reckless driver who caused a car accident, the effects are still the same. Both incidents leave you with serious injuries, a large financial burden, and you will be forced to miss work without being paid. For those who reside in the Granite City, IL area, the Illinois state law allows you to claim financial compensation for losses that are caused by injuries. This includes lost earning potential and any lost wages.
What Are Lost Wages?
When it is in the context of a personal injury claim, lost wages are the money that you normally would have earned between the day of your accident and the date that your case has been settled or you receive a court ruling. Lost wages are what’s called economic or special damages. They are just one type of damage that you may be entitled to during your personal injury claim. You could also be entitled to workers’ compensation. If your injuries minimize your ability to work and earn an income going forward, you could also claim compensation for loss of future earnings. Lost wage damages can include being unable to work temporarily or permanently, having to take a job that pays less due to your injury, or working reduced hours.
Will Car Insurance Pay for Missed Work?
In most cases, an insurance company is able to cover lost wages and other damages as a result of a vehicle accident. Most liability plans pay claims for lost wages if you have to miss work due to injuries that are sustained during an accident. Your own car insurance or the other driver’s insurance company may be held responsible for paying your lost wages, depending on which driver was at fault for the accident. If your injuries were caused by a driver that was uninsured, you may be able to claim lost wages through your own insurance policy’s underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage. An important thing to remember is if you are partially to blame for the accident, your compensation can be reduced by the same percentage of blame that is assigned to you. You will also need to make sure you provide them with proof of employment and a doctor’s statement discussing your injuries and how they prevent you from being able to work.
How Are Lost Wages Calculated?
Depending on the accident specifics, the loss of income can be calculated differently. No matter what type of employment you had prior to the accident, our team at Brunton Law Offices, can guide you through the steps to calculate how much you are owed. This includes a variety of accident victims including:
- Salaried
- Hourly
- Full-Time
- Part-Time
- Self-Employed
- Independent Contractors/Freelancers
- Working Multiple Jobs
No matter what type of work you do or where you are employed, you always have the right to file an injury claim for any lost wages. Don’t assume you can just dig up some old paystubs and get paid in full for your lost income. The process of getting your wages reimbursed for victims of an accident can involve a lot of paperwork and has several requirements. This is why hiring a professional personal injury attorney is important, so that you can ensure you are doing everything right in order to get the compensation you deserve.
Contact our team at Brunton Law Offices today and we will set up a meeting with one of our top personal injury lawyers who will help you sort out your injury claim.
