Getting hurt in an accident can disrupt your life in many ways. One of the biggest problems is that you might not be able to work for a while. This means you lose money that you would have earned if you hadn’t been hurt.
If someone else caused your accident or that of a loved one, a Reno personal injury lawyer can help you pursue compensation for your lost wages, medical bills, and other damages, ensuring you get the financial support you need.
When you’re hurt and can’t work, you lose money in two ways. First, there’s the money you’ve already lost because you couldn’t work. We call this “past lost wages.” Then there’s the money you might lose in the future if you still can’t work or can’t do the same job as before. We call this “future lost wages.”
Figuring out past lost wages is simpler. You add up all the money you would have earned if you hadn’t been hurt, including:
It’s important to keep good records of your work and pay. This will help prove how much money you’ve lost. You might need to show:
Figuring out future lost wages is often much harder. You need to think about how your injury might affect your work in the years to come. Here are some things to consider:
To get the total amount of future lost wages, you need to figure out how much less you’ll make each year because of your injury. Then multiply that by how many years you planned to keep working.
Often, these calculations require assistance from vocational and economic experts, as inflation and other complex principles can come into play.
Calculating lost earnings is essential for securing your financial future after a personal injury. We categorize lost earnings into past and future losses. Past lost wages cover the income you’ve already missed due to your injury, while future losses involve a deeper analysis of your potential earnings. At Kidwell & Gallagher Personal Injury Lawyers, we’re dedicated to more than just legal representation—we’re here to help you rebuild your life. Our team meticulously gathers and evaluates evidence to ensure every dollar is accounted for. Let us guide you through this process to recover the compensation you rightfully deserve.
Understanding how to calculate your hourly wage is crucial in determining your lost earnings. Take your hourly wage and multiply it by the number of hours you missed due to the accident. For example, if your hourly wage is $20 and you missed work for three days (8 hours per day), your calculation would be: $20 x (8 hours x 3 days) = $480 (your total lost wages). This straightforward formula helps you start the process of calculating your losses.
Serious accidents can completely change the landscape of your life, complicating lost earnings calculations. Severe injuries might prevent you from returning to your previous job or any job at all. We collaborate with vocational experts to assess the long-term impact on your earning capacity and ensure you aren’t left to shoulder the financial burden. In Nevada, the Workers’ Compensation Division evaluates permanent disabilities, which can be crucial to your case, helping us paint a full picture of your losses.
If your injury forces you into a new, lower-paying job or one with different responsibilities, your financial losses extend far beyond a simple pay cut. We ensure that the full impact on your career, including costs for retraining and any new qualifications you’ve had to obtain, is carefully included in your claim. Resources like Nevada’s Vocational Rehabilitation Services are invaluable during your transition, and we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
When an injury leads to early retirement, it can be a devastating financial blow. Our team carefully calculates what you would have earned until your planned retirement age, considering not only lost wages but also retirement benefits and other future income. This isn’t just about covering today’s losses but ensuring your entire financial future is protected. We’re committed to covering every detail and fighting for the full compensation you’re entitled to.
Lost wages are just one piece of the compensation puzzle. You may also recover compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and even lost earning potential. Documentation is key when filing a personal injury claim; resources like those provided by Enjuris offer valuable insights into the necessary paperwork. At Kidwell & Gallagher Personal Injury Lawyers, we’re dedicated to securing every dollar you deserve. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us today. Visit our Personal Injury Lawyer page for more information, or give us a call to get started.
Lost wages refer to the income you miss out on when an injury prevents you from performing your job. These can include your regular salary, overtime, commissions, or even bonuses, depending on your role. In Nevada, injured individuals are entitled to claim these lost earnings as part of their personal injury case, provided they can properly document their losses.
This applies not only to your immediate lost income but also to potential future earnings if your injury has a long-term impact on your ability to work at the same level. Compensation may also cover lost benefits such as employer contributions to health insurance or retirement plans, which can further increase the value of your claim. To recover lost wages successfully, you must provide solid evidence like pay stubs and employer statements to substantiate your claim.
Accurately determining lost wages requires thorough documentation. Gathering the right records ensures that your claim for compensation is well-supported and comprehensive.
Here are the essential documents you should collect:
By compiling these documents, your personal injury attorney can help you calculate the full extent of your lost wages. To better understand wage claims, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division provides valuable information on compensation and workers’ rights.
Injuries may not only impact your base salary but also lead to the loss of other compensation forms. Lost benefits, such as paid time off (PTO), health insurance, and employer retirement contributions, are significant factors that can increase the overall value of your lost wages claim.
Consulting resources like Nevada’s Minimum Wage Bulletins will help you understand the state’s wage compensation laws. By accurately including lost wages and benefits, your attorney can build a stronger case to recover the compensation you deserve for your injury.
If you’ve been hurt in a car accident in Reno and can’t work, you should talk to our Kidwell & Gallagher personal injury lawyer by calling (775) 323-2667 or contacting us online.
Our lawyers will seek the money you deserve. They will gather proof of your lost wages, including medical and work records, and negotiate with insurance companies. If your case goes to court, we will represent you aggressively. Call today.
Craig W. Kidwell is the managing partner of Kidwell & Gallagher, Ltd., and exclusively represents injured workers in Nevada. Mr. Kidwell has been practicing workers’ compensation law in Nevada since 1999 and has acted as lead counsel on over 2,000 contested workers’ compensation claims. Mr. Kidwell represents injured workers in Nevada through all stages of Nevada’s complex worker’s compensation system. Craig regularly appears in all levels of Nevada’s administrative workers’ compensation system and has represented injured workers in Nevada’s districts and Supreme Court.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Managing Partner, Craig W. Kidwell who has more than 20 years of legal experience as a personal injury attorney.