Lost Wages In Louisiana
Recovering from an injury or car accident can be extremely difficult. This is especially the case when you’re missing work, and wages, during your recovery period.
Fortunately, you can recover lost wages as part of your personal injury settlement. Here’s what you need to know to maximize this benefit.
Lost wages are more than your regular salary
Lost wages include your regular salary that you aren’t earning as a result of your injury. However, your salary isn’t the only form of compensation you receive from your employer.
Louisiana law recognizes that, by being out of work due to an injury, you may also lose out on overtime, personal time off, an opportunity to earn bonuses or commission, and even contributions to retirement plans.
Additionally, lost wages can include lost earning potential, if your injuries were so severe that you’re disabled to the extent that you can’t work. This can include cost of living raises, as well as potential promotions you may have earned over the course of your career.
These forms of compensation can be included in your personal injury claim because they will help “make you whole” again after the accident.
Proving your lost wage claim
To maximize your lost wage claim, you’ll need to show proof of your losses. It’s important to be detailed in your paperwork, because insurance companies will try to minimize the amount they pay.
When you make your argument for lost wages, you should include a statement from your doctor or medical provider detailing not only your injuries, but also your recovery period and the time you weren’t able to work as a result of these injuries.
Additionally, you should provide documentation detailing your income. This could be a contract from your employer laying out your salary and benefits, weekly and monthly paystubs, and any other paperwork showing your prior earnings. If you lost wages coming from commissions or bonuses, you may need to ask your employer for a statement detailing how this form of payment is made, and how you missed out on the opportunity to earn this income while you were recovering from your injuries.
Proving lost earning potential can be difficult because there are so many factors at play. You may need to work with an expert witness, such as an accountant, to prove what your income potential may have been, but for the injury.
Working with an experienced personal injury attorney
If you were seriously injured and spent time recovering away from work, consider hiring an experienced Biloxi personal injury attorney. Our dedicated team can help maximize your claim for benefits from the insurance company to make sure you receive a full recovery.
You shouldn’t have to suffer lost wages for an accident that wasn’t your fault. Contact us today at Lunsford Baskin & Priebe, PLLC to understand your options in recovering your income.
