Lost Wages Lawyer: Recovering Your Financial Losses After an Injury

When an injury prevents you from working, the financial impact can be devastating. Medical bills pile up while your income disappears, creating a perfect storm of economic hardship. At The Law Offices of John M. McCabe in Raleigh, our lost wages lawyers understand the profound effect that lost income can have on your life and financial stability.

Understanding Lost Wages Claims

Lost wages represent the income you would have earned had you not been injured. As experienced lost wages lawyers, we've helped countless North Carolina residents recover compensation for income lost due to injuries caused by others' negligence.

These financial losses typically fall into several categories:

• Past lost wages: Income you've already lost due to your injury
• Future lost wages: Income you'll continue to lose during your recovery
• Lost earning capacity: Reduction in your ability to earn income in the future
• Lost benefits: Vacation time, sick leave, bonuses, and other employment benefits

Our lost wages lawyers meticulously document and calculate these losses to ensure you receive fair compensation. We understand that every dollar matters when you're unable to work.

When You Need a Lost Wages Lawyer

Many situations may require the assistance of a lost wages lawyer:

Work-Related Injuries

While workers' compensation covers many workplace injuries, these systems have limitations. A lost wages lawyer can help you navigate complex claims, especially when third parties share liability for your workplace injury.

Car Accidents

Motor vehicle collisions frequently lead to injuries that prevent victims from working. Our lost wages lawyers regularly help clients recover compensation for income lost due to car accident injuries.

Slip and Fall Incidents

Property owners have a responsibility to maintain safe premises. When they fail in this duty and you suffer an injury that affects your ability to work, a lost wages lawyer can help hold them accountable.

How Our Lost Wages Lawyers Calculate Your Losses

Accurately calculating lost wages requires thorough documentation and analysis. Our approach includes:

For Salaried Employees

We divide your annual salary by 2,080 (40 hours per week × 52 weeks) to determine your hourly rate. We then multiply this rate by the hours you've missed due to your injury.

For Hourly Employees

We multiply your hourly rate by the number of hours you've missed. We also account for overtime you would have typically worked.

For Self-Employed Individuals

Self-employment presents unique challenges in documenting lost income. Our lost wages lawyers analyze your business records, tax returns, and historical earnings to establish your typical income before the injury.

For Commission-Based Workers

If your income relies heavily on commissions, we examine your earnings history to establish patterns and project what you would have earned absent the injury.

Future Lost Wages

For long-term or permanent injuries, our lost wages lawyers work with economic experts to project future losses, accounting for factors such as:

• Your age
• Your education and skills
• Your earning history
• Your career trajectory
• Inflation and wage growth
• Your life expectancy

Documenting Lost Wages for Your Claim

Strong documentation significantly strengthens your claim. Our lost wages lawyers help clients gather and organize:

• Employment records
• Pay stubs and W-2 forms
• Tax returns
• Direct deposit records
• Letters from employers
• Medical documentation connecting your injury to your inability to work
• Expert testimony regarding your earning capacity

The more thoroughly we document your losses, the stronger your position in negotiations or at trial.

Common Challenges in Lost Wages Claims

Lost wages claims often face several obstacles:

Insurance Company Tactics

Insurance adjusters routinely undervalue lost wages claims. They may:

• Question the severity of your injuries
• Dispute the necessity of missed work
• Challenge your earning history
• Minimize projected future losses

Our lost wages lawyers anticipate and counter these tactics, protecting your right to fair compensation.

Proving Causation

You must establish that your injuries—not other factors—caused your inability to work. Our team works closely with medical professionals to document this crucial connection.

Complex Employment Situations

Non-traditional employment arrangements—such as gig work, freelancing, or new businesses—can complicate lost wages calculations. Our lost wages lawyers have extensive experience quantifying losses across diverse employment situations.

How a Personal Injury Lawyer Handles Lost Wages Claims

As a full-service personal injury law firm, The Law Offices of John M. McCabe provides comprehensive representation for lost wages claims:

1. Initial consultation: We assess your situation and potential claim value
2. Investigation: We gather evidence regarding your accident and injuries
3. Documentation: We collect and organize records demonstrating your lost income
4. Medical coordination: We work with your healthcare providers to document how your injuries affect your ability to work
5. Damages calculation: We precisely calculate your past and future lost wages
6. Negotiation: We engage with insurance companies to secure fair compensation
7. Litigation: When necessary, we present your case persuasively in court

Throughout this process, our lost wages lawyers communicate clearly about your options and case progress.

Beyond Lost Wages: Other Damages You May Recover

While lost wages form a significant part of many injury claims, additional damages may be available:

• Medical expenses (past and future)
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Property damage
• Home modification costs
• Transportation expenses

Our comprehensive approach ensures we pursue all compensation you deserve—not just your lost wages.

Statute of Limitations for Lost Wages Claims

In North Carolina, strict time limits apply to injury claims involving lost wages:

• Personal injury claims generally must be filed within three years
• Medical malpractice claims typically have a two-year statute of limitations
• Claims against government entities may have even shorter deadlines

Consulting with a lost wages lawyer promptly after your injury helps protect your legal rights and preserve crucial evidence.

Why Choose The Law Offices of John M. McCabe for Your Lost Wages Claim

When seeking a lost wages lawyer, consider what sets our firm apart:

• Proven results: Our record includes substantial recoveries for clients who have lost income due to injuries
• Comprehensive approach: We address all aspects of your claim, not just lost wages
• Client-centered service: We maintain regular communication and respond promptly to your questions
• Trial readiness: While we resolve many cases through negotiation, we prepare every case as if it will go to trial
• No recovery, no fee: We handle lost wages claims on a contingency basis

Contact Our Lost Wages Lawyers Today

If an injury has affected your ability to work and earn income, don't face these challenges alone. The lost wages lawyers at The Law Offices of John M. McCabe in Raleigh stand ready to help you recover the compensation you deserve.

We offer free, no-obligation consultations to discuss your situation and potential claim. Contact us today to learn how we can help you recover your lost wages and move forward after an injury.

The Law Offices of John M. McCabe is committed to helping injured North Carolinians recover the compensation they deserve, including full and fair payment for lost wages. Let us put our knowledge and resources to work for you during this challenging time.