Table of Contents
- Can You Recover Lost Wages After an Accident?
- Why Insurance Companies May Dispute Lost Wages
- How to Prove Lost Income
- What if Your Injuries Affect Your Future Income?
- Steps to Take if Insurance Refuses to Pay
- Talk to MAS Law About Your Injury Claim
If you were injured in an accident and had to miss work, you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages. However, insurance companies do not always agree with the amount of lost income claimed or whether the losses were caused by the accident.
Missing work can create serious financial problems while you are already dealing with medical bills and the physical effects of an injury. If an insurance company is refusing to pay your lost wages, understanding your options can help you protect your claim.
Can You Recover Lost Wages After an Accident?
Lost wages can be part of a personal injury claim when an accident caused by someone else's negligence leaves you unable to work.
Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to seek compensation for income you lost because of:
- Missed workdays
- Reduced hours
- Medical appointments
- Recovery from an injury
- Temporary restrictions on your work
- An inability to perform your normal job duties
If your injuries prevent you from returning to the same type of work, your claim may also involve a loss of future earning capacity.
Why Insurance Companies May Dispute Lost Wages
Insurance companies may question lost wage claims for several reasons.
An adjuster may argue that:
- You could have returned to work sooner
- Your injuries did not prevent you from working
- Your missed time was unrelated to the accident
- You did not provide enough documentation
- You were already earning less before the accident
- Your employment status makes your losses difficult to calculate
These disputes do not necessarily mean you are not entitled to compensation. Additional documentation may help establish the connection between your injury and your lost income.
How to Prove Lost Income
Documentation is important when seeking compensation for lost wages.
Pay Stubs and Payroll Records
Pay stubs can help establish how much you normally earned and how much income you lost while recovering.
If you are paid hourly, records showing your normal hours and missed shifts may also be useful.
Employer Documentation
Your employer may be able to provide documentation confirming:
- Your position
- Your normal rate of pay
- The dates you missed work
- The number of hours you missed
- Your regular work schedule
- Any reduction in your hours or responsibilities
This information can help demonstrate that your lost income was directly connected to the accident.
Medical Documentation
Medical records can help establish why you were unable to work.
Your doctor may provide restrictions indicating that you should remain off work or limit certain activities while recovering.
Following your doctor's recommendations and keeping records of your treatment can be important when an insurance company questions your lost wages.
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What if You Are Self-Employed?
Lost income can be more complicated for people who are self-employed or own a business.
Instead of traditional pay stubs, you may need to provide other documentation, such as:
- Tax returns
- Business records
- Invoices
- Financial statements
- Bank records
- Records showing cancelled work
- Other evidence of lost business income
The specific documentation needed will depend on your circumstances.
What if Your Injuries Affect Your Future Income?
Some injuries do more than cause temporary missed work. A serious injury may affect your ability to perform your job or continue working in the same occupation.
For example, an injury may result in:
- Permanent physical limitations
- A reduced ability to work
- The need to change occupations
- Reduced hours
- A lower-paying position
- Early retirement
In these situations, your claim may involve reduced future earning capacity rather than simply the wages you already lost.
Determining future losses can be more complicated and may require additional evidence about your injury, employment, income, and ability to work.
Steps to Take if Insurance Refuses to Pay
If an insurance company refuses to compensate you for lost wages, take steps to document your losses.
Keep Your Employment Records
Save pay stubs, tax records, schedules, employer communications, and other documents showing your normal income and the time you missed from work.
Follow Your Doctor's Instructions
If your doctor gives you work restrictions, follow them and keep copies of the relevant medical documentation.
Returning to work against medical advice or failing to follow treatment recommendations could give an insurance company an opportunity to question the extent of your injuries.
Document Your Missed Work
Keep track of:
- Dates you missed
- Hours you missed
- Your normal pay rate
- Overtime or other regular compensation
- Changes to your work responsibilities
This information can make it easier to calculate the financial impact of your injury.
Do Not Assume the Insurance Company's Decision Is Final
An insurance company denying or disputing your lost wage claim does not necessarily end your ability to seek compensation.
If you believe your losses are legitimate and supported by evidence, you may have options for challenging the insurer's position.
Why Lost Wages Matter in an Injury Claim
The financial effects of an accident can continue long after the initial collision or injury.
You may have medical bills arriving while your paycheck has stopped or decreased. At the same time, you may be facing household expenses that cannot be put on hold.
Lost income can therefore be an important part of your overall injury claim. Making sure these losses are properly documented can help ensure that the full financial impact of your accident is considered.
Talk to MAS Law About Your Injury Claim
If you were injured in an accident and the insurance company is refusing to pay your lost wages, you may have a valid claim for compensation. An experienced personal injury attorney can review your employment and medical documentation, determine what losses may be included in your claim, and communicate with the insurance company on your behalf.
MAS Law has served our communities for over 25 years, helping clients recover the MAXimum compensation they deserve after accidents and injuries. Founded by Sean Modjarrad, the firm brings more than 100 years of combined legal experience handling personal injury cases. Our legal team is available 24/7 in English, Spanish, Arabic, Farsi, Urdu, Hindi, and Punjabi, with virtual consultations available to fit your schedule.
If an insurance company is refusing to pay your lost wages after an accident, contact MAS Law online or call (866) 328-8433 today to discuss what happened and talk about your case.
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