Unless you have previously been injured in an accident or know someone close to you who has been injured in an accident, you really may not have a clear idea about the far reaching impact accident injuries can have on a person’s life and finances. The pain and limitations injuries can impose on a person can fundamentally alter everyday life. Furthermore, the injury victim may miss a significant amount of work due to the accident, the accident injuries, and to receive treatment for accident injuries, not to mention recovery time for all of this. Lost wages can be an insult to injury when you consider the amount of medical bills that can quickly pile up in the wake of an accident. Did you know, however, that lost wages can be included in part of the damages you seek for harm suffered due to an accident?
Lost Wages Damages
In a personal injury claim following an accident, the bulk of the damages you seek are considered “compensatory damages.” These are damages aimed at, as the name suggests, compensating you for the harm and losses you have suffered due to the accident. Compensatory damages will include medical expenses, the cost of future medical care, pain and suffering damages, and lost wages, among other things.
Following an accident, there are a number of reasons that a person may miss work. The accident itself can cause a person to miss work. The pain and limitations caused by the accident injuries may be debilitating to the point that a person is physically unable to go into work. A person may also miss work to attend doctor’s appointments and to receive treatment needed in order to properly heal from the accident injuries. Additionally, many medical procedures to address accident injuries will require recovery time which will mean missing more work as well.
As you can see, a person injured in an accident stands to miss a significant amount of work which can total substantial amounts of lost wages. This is why it is so important to document things like missed work and lost wages following an accident. The insurance company will want evidence to support the amount of lost wages you are including in your damages. Document when you missed work following an accident. If you are self-employed, document opportunities you missed out on following an accident. If you are employed by a company, gather documentation as to how much you are paid. For instance, past pay stubs and tax returns can be valuable in supporting your claim for lost wages.
New Jersey Personal Injury Attorneys
At the Cassidy Law Firm, we understand the huge impact accident injuries can have on a person and their everyday life. We know that the road ahead can be both difficult and expensive as you miss work, incur medical expenses, and struggle to manage everyday finances. For trusted legal counsel in the wake of an accident, we are here for you. Contact us today.