Controlling Your Legacy

« Back to Home

Lost Career Income And Your Personal Injury Damages

Posted on

An accident that causes injuries bad enough to put you in the hospital may deserve more than what the auto insurer is offering. If the other driver caused the wreck, it's possible that more than just your car is damaged. While being paid for the wages you would have earned while recovering from an accident is undoubtedly possible, some people may have lost more than a few days or weeks of pay. Read on to find out more about a type of damage that can affect an entire lifetime of income.

Understanding Lost Wages

There are two forms of damages that you could be owed in regard to your job. Lost wages are commonly only available for those who specifically ask the insurer to cover that expense. The reimbursement includes all time missed from work in which a victim was seeking medical care as a result of the accident. The amount of the damages are calculated by using your salary or hourly rate and adding up any time you missed work and any time you used benefits like paid time off to cover the losses. Beyond that expense, however, is a second level of damages for those who suffer permanently because of the wreck.

Understanding Future Earnings

If you are not "as good as new" when your recovery reaches a plateau, you might have a permanent disability because of the accident. This type of situation can call for a great deal more compensation in all areas, including your future earning capacity. You might, for example, need future medical care and more compensation for pain and suffering. Future earning capacity takes into consideration the wages that you would have earned had you not been in the accident and suffered the injuries you did.

How to Prove Lost Earning Capacity

As losses go, this one can be a challenge. Proving lost future earnings usually involve the testimony of a variety of experts about how your medical condition will influence your future income. For example, a typical case will offer a medical expert to testify about your condition and a vocational expert who will speak about your ability to perform the tasks of your job. An economic expert must also weight in for a determination of future lost income. For example, if you make a living driving trucks but you now have a permanent injury to your legs, you may be unable to continue with your career. Other factors, like your education and job experience, your age, and the level of disability are taken into consideration when calculating the sum you are owed.

This area of compensation is more complex than most but a lot is at stake for accident victims. Speak to an accident lawyer to find out more.


Share