Recovering from a Personal Injury

Whether you’ve been involved in a car accident, a slip-and-fall incident, or any other type of personal injury, taking the time to recover is often a necessary part of the process. Recovery can include hospital stays, medical treatments, surgeries, or simply resting at home. Unfortunately, during this period, time away from work often results in lost wages. Even if you use vacation or sick time, that time could have been spent on other activities if the accident hadn’t occurred.

Determining Lost Wages

Calculating lost wages is typically straightforward for most individuals. It’s the income you would have earned if you had been able to work. Here’s how to determine lost wages:

• Hourly Workers: Multiply the hours you missed due to your injury by your hourly wage.
• Salaried Employees: Divide your annual salary by the number of workdays in a year to determine your daily wage. Multiply this by the number of days missed.
• Commission or Bonus-Based Income: For those who earn commission or bonuses, the calculation becomes more complex. You may need to average your commissions or bonuses over a specific time frame (e.g., weeks or months) to estimate what you would have earned if you hadn’t been injured.

If you are salaried and your employer continued to pay you while you were recovering, you may not qualify for lost wages. An experienced attorney can review your specific situation and determine your eligibility to claim lost wages as part of your personal injury case.

Lost Wages vs. Loss of Earning Capacity

It’s important to understand the difference between lost wages and loss of earning capacity. While both are forms of compensation in personal injury claims, they address different aspects of financial loss:

• Lost Wages: This refers to income you’ve already missed out on due to your injury. It’s a past loss that can be calculated based on your actual missed work hours or days.
• Loss of Earning Capacity: This is an estimate of future losses. It compensates you for a reduced ability to earn a living moving forward. For instance, if your injury prevents you from performing your previous job duties, you may be entitled to loss of earning capacity.

For example, imagine you worked as a mechanic before an accident caused a severe back injury. If this injury limits your ability to lift heavy objects or perform overhead work, it could impact your ability to continue working as a mechanic. In this case, you may be compensated for your diminished earning capacity in addition to any lost wages.

How Bert McDowell Injury Law Can Help

At Bert McDowell Injury Law, we understand how overwhelming it can be to navigate the complexities of personal injury claims while focusing on your recovery. Our team is here to help you secure the compensation you deserve for lost wages, loss of earning capacity, and other damages caused by your injury.

If you’ve been injured in Connecticut, don’t face the legal process alone. Our experienced attorneys will thoroughly evaluate your case, calculate your financial losses, and advocate for your rights every step of the way.

To learn more about your options and get personalized assistance, contact us today at 475-231-3274 to schedule your free consultation. You can also fill out our contact form to get started.

We take pride in serving clients across Connecticut and ensuring that their voices are heard in both settlement negotiations and in the courtroom. Let us put our experience and dedication to work for you.