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March 15, 2023

Have you been injured in an accident? Have you sustained injuries that prevent you from working and earning an income? Was your accident the result of another party’s negligence?

If so, you may be eligible for compensation for your lost wages. You can pursue said compensation by filing a personal injury claim or lawsuit.

Documenting your lost wages is crucial to ensuring you receive what you deserve. This guide explains how you may do so.

Keep detailed records of your income.

Keeping detailed records of your income before and after the accident is essential. Documentation that shows your pre-accident income may include pay stubs, tax returns, etc. Additionally, it may be wise to document any time you took off for vacation or similar reasons before your accident.

Keep track of any time you have missed work due to your injuries after your accident. This doesn’t merely include days you have missed completely. It should also include any partial days or reduced hours you have worked. Track the dates, the number of hours missed, and the reason for the absence, such as doctor’s appointments.

Obtain documentation from your employer.

Ask your employer to provide a letter that outlines your job duties, salary, and any benefits you receive. Your employer should corroborate your statements about your pre-accident pay as well as your statements about the time you have had to take off in the aftermath of your accident.

If you’re self-employed, obtain client documentation confirming your income statements and missed work. These can bolster other forms of documentation, like tax returns.

Obtain documentation from your healthcare provider.

To demonstrate your injuries have prevented you from working, you’ll need documentation from your healthcare provider. They should provide records confirming the severity of your injuries and outlining any treatment you have received. Your doctors may also provide written statements indicating your injuries prevent you from working.

Calculate your lost wages.

You must calculate your lost wages once you’ve gathered all necessary documentation. Be aware your lost wages might not just include past and current losses. It might also include future losses if your injuries may have a long-term impact on your ability to work.

Calculating lost wages requires determining your average daily or weekly earnings before the accident. You may calculate this by dividing your pre-accident income by the days or weeks you worked during that period. Multiply this amount by the number of days or weeks you have missed from work due to your injuries to determine your total lost wages.

Again, you may also need to factor in any lost earning capacity if your injuries have permanently limited your ability to work. Calculating this on your own may prove challenging.

This is one of many reasons to strongly consider enlisting the help of a lawyer when pursuing compensation after an accident resulting from someone else’s accidents or negligence. Snohomish County injury attorney Kelby Derenick can assist you in gathering all necessary documentation and calculating your lost wages to ensure you’re fighting for every penny you deserve. Learn more by contacting the office online or calling us at (360) 965-8251.