Lost Wages Case
Lost Wages Claims — Even With Minimal Injuries
Many accident victims assume they cannot recover lost wages if their injuries were minor or if they did not receive extensive medical treatment. That is incorrect. Insurance companies are legally obligated to compensate you for any income you lost as a direct result of the accident, regardless of the severity of your injuries.
If the crash caused you to miss work—even one shift—you are entitled to be paid for that time.
Lost Wages Are Compensable Even With Minimal Injuries
You do not need:
- A hospital stay
- Surgery
- Months of physical therapy
- Severe or permanent
- injuries
Even a mild injury—such as soreness, headaches, or temporary pain—can legitimately prevent you from performing your job duties. If the accident caused you to miss work, the insurance company must pay for the wages you lost.
Lost Wages Include PTO, Sick Time, and Vacation Time
Lost wages are not limited to missed paychecks.
If you had to use:
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Sick days
- Vacation time
- Personal days
…you are legally entitled to be compensated for that time as well.
Even if you still received your paycheck, the insurance company must reimburse you for the value of the time you were forced to use—because you would not have used that PTO if the at-fault driver had not injured you.
How Lost Wages Are Calculated
Lost wages may include:
- Missed shifts or reduced hours
- PTO, sick days, or vacation days used for medical visits
- Doctor-ordered time off
- Time missed because of pain, restricted mobility, or inability to perform essential job tasks
- Lost bonuses, commissions, or contract earnings
Your attorney will gather documentation from your employer, including earnings statements, to ensure your losses are fully accounted for.
You Don’t Need Severe Injuries to Have a Valid Claim
Insurance companies often try to minimize cases where injuries are labeled as “soft-tissue” or “mild.” But the law is clear:
If you were unable to work because of the accident, you are entitled to compensation.
Period.
Protect Your Claim
If the insurance adjuster calls you:
- Do not provide statements
- Do not admit you “feel fine”
- Do not minimize your symptoms
- Direct all calls to your attorney
Insurance companies use early statements to deny wage claims—don’t let them.
Need Help Getting Your Lost Wages Paid?
Even small wage losses matter. Whether it was one day, one shift, or weeks of missed work, you deserve to be compensated.
We handle the entire process for you so you can focus on healing. Contact us today for a free consultation.