What Are Lost Wages?
The term "lost wages" refers to money you would have earned from employment but were unable to earn due to injury, sickness or medical treatment. You may be able to recover lost wages through legal action or an insurance claim, though extensive documentation is necessary to do so.
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Definition
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According to Injury-LawFreeAdvice.com, in most states, lost wages refers to the gross pay you would have earned if you were not sick, injured or undergoing treatment. The term refers to "the amount of money you had the capacity to earn on your job prior to the accident." This includes overtime if you often earn it or your boss acknowledges that you would have earned it during the time you were injured, as well as special pay and promotions.
Recovery
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In many cases, you can recover lost wages through insurance claims and legal action. If you are injured in an auto accident, according to CarInsurance.com, and you have insurance coverage for lost wages, you must file a claim. If the accident was the fault of another driver, you may be eligible to receive compensation for lost wages through his insurance provider. According to OnlineLawyerSource.com, you can also file for lost wages under workers' compensation. Finally, if you are involved in another type of personal injury lawsuit, you can add lost wages to the amount you're seeking from the party that injured you.
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Documentation
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You must have good documentation of your injury or sickness in order to be compensated for lost wages. Be sure to get a doctor's note that specifies when you can come back to work and get documentation each time you go in for treatment.
Lost Wages and Sick Pay/Vacation Days
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You may be eligible for lost wages even if you have been receiving sick or vacation pay. Consult a lawyer if you think you may be eligible for compensation.
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References
- Photo Credit sick woman image by forca from Fotolia.com
