For a lot of people, being laid up and unable to work due to accident-related injuries can be a disaster. It means they can’t pay their rent, utility bills, and other living expenses, let alone their medical bills. If you’ve found yourself in this situation, don’t give up hope.
When a person is injured due to the negligent acts of another, Florida state law allows them to seek compensation for the damages caused by their injuries by filing a personal injury claim against the at-fault party. In addition to current and ongoing medical expenses, you can also seek compensation for your lost wages, loss of employment, and diminished earning capacity.
Loss of Earnings Can Be Difficult to Prove
Establishing your current lost wages is fairly straightforward; just multiply the hours you missed by your rate of pay. For instance, if you make $20 an hour and you missed 40 hours of work, your lost wages will total $800.
What if you’re unable to return to work? Or your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job and you are forced to take a different job for less pay? Damages for diminished or loss of future earnings can be a little more difficult to prove than current lost wages because the damage amounts are based largely on extrapolation.
Factors That Determine How Much You Can Collect in Lost Future Earnings
Several factors are taken into consideration when determining lost or diminished earnings after an accident:
- Your income
- Your occupation
- Your employment type (full-time, part-time, contract, etc.)
- Your age
- The extent of your injuries
- Your education level
- Your professional goals
Evidence Used to Prove Loss of Future Earnings
There are many types of evidence you can use to define loss of future earnings:
- Pay stubs
- Bank statements (if you are paid by direct deposit)
- Previous tax returns
- Employee records
- Employer testimony
- Testimony from a medical and vocational expert
Self-employed individuals may face additional challenges since their income levels often fluctuate. Records of past income can be used to show trends in employment. Experts can also be called in to discuss how well your business or venture is likely to do over the long run.
A Lutz accident attorney can help you gather the evidence you’ll need to solidly establish your potential loss of future earnings. They can also help you negotiate a satisfactory settlement with the at-fault party’s insurance company and argue your case in court, if necessary. Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis, which means there are no upfront costs for their service. They collect their fee as a percentage of your settlement, so you don’t have to worry about taking on any additional financial burdens at a time like this.
Get the Full Compensation You Deserve For Your Lost Income
Before you agree to any settlement with an insurance company, speak with Lutz personal injury attorney Tania Rivas. Insurance company offers rarely cover the full costs of your injuries, such as ongoing medical expenses or diminished or lost earning capacity. Attorney Rivas is dedicated to protecting your rights and ensuring you get the total compensation you are owed for the damages caused by your injury.
Tania Rivas and Rivas Law Group have represented injured clients throughout Central Florida, including Lutz, Lakeland, and Winter Haven. Her tireless dedication, vast experience, and superior legal skills have enabled Attorney Rivas to obtain millions of dollars in compensation for her clients, including an $850,000 settlement for a married Tampa couple injured in a rear-end accident.
Contact Rivas Law Group today to schedule a free, no-obligation initial consultation. Don’t wait too long — the sooner Attorney Rivas gets to work on your case, the sooner you’ll receive the compensation you deserve.
