{"id":353083,"date":"2017-03-13T12:53:45","date_gmt":"2017-03-13T17:53:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/injury\/car-accidents\/making-a-lost-wages-claim.html"},"modified":"2023-07-27T15:17:17","modified_gmt":"2023-07-27T20:17:17","slug":"making-a-lost-wages-claim","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/car-accidents\/making-a-lost-wages-claim.html","title":{"rendered":"Making a Lost Wages Claim"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Making a Lost Wages Claim<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Ty McDuffey, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Katrina Wilson, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

After a car accident or other type of personal injury, you might have to miss work. In some cases, you might not be able to return to your job due to a disability or extensive medical care. Being unable to earn money can have significant financial consequences, even if temporary. You can account for your loss of income in a personal injury claim.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

You’re driving home after a long day at work when the driver behind you carelessly crashes into your vehicle. Your car is a total loss, and you’re unable to move your right leg, which is broken. Due to your broken leg, you’re forced to miss work for several weeks without pay.<\/p>\n

These unforeseen injuries and their resulting financial burdens can be devastating. If you have injuries and missed work due to a car accident, you may be able to get compensation for the wages you lost.<\/p>\n

Read on to find out how to make a lost wages claim. If you wonder whether you have a claim, meet with a personal injury lawyer<\/a> to discuss the next steps.<\/p>\n

What Are Lost Wages?<\/h2>\n

In a car accident case, “lost wages<\/a>” refers to the money you would have earned from your employer from the accident to the date of settlement or judgment. To get your lost income, you must prove that the injuries that caused you to be out of work were directly related to the accident. You must prove they were unrelated to any other event following the accident.<\/p>\n

If they accept your claim, you’ll get the wages you would have earned had you not missed work while receiving medical treatment and during recovery.<\/p>\n

As you proceed through the claims process, you’ll likely encounter two terms, which are:<\/p>\n