CAN I RECOVER LOST WAGES IF I AM SELF-EMPLOYED?

By Huffman & Huffman Brothers-in-Law, P.L.L.C.

Missing work or even losing your job after an accident can be devastating. Not only may you have to worry about your accident-related medical expenses, but the loss of work income can make these bills that much more burdensome.

Fortunately, individuals are often awarded compensation for lost wages in car accident cases. But there are important differences between making a lost wages claim as an employee versus a person who is self-employed.

PROVING LOST WAGES FOR SELF-EMPLOYED

For those with regular and steady income, calculating these damages can be fairly straightforward. Your attorney can gather your pay stubs and tax information to show how much you earn, and present that with your medical records and doctor’s notes to prove how much time you were out of work because of your accident-related injuries. If you cannot return to the same job you did before, you can also claim damages for lost earning capacity.

However, it may be a more complex process for those who are self-employed, such as freelancers, independent contractors, or anyone else who generally works irregular days and hours. Lost wages relate to anything you could have made had you not been injured.

To prove lost wages as a person who is self-employed, your attorney will have to gather supporting documents, such as:

  • Medical documents
  • History of your work ventures
  • Average hours and times worked in the most recent time period
  • Average amount earned in the most recent time period
  • Any evidence showing your future work, such as a contract to begin work on a certain date

HELPING YOU CALCULATE TOTAL DAMAGES

The complex nature of these claims means that the insurance company may try to dispute the total lost wages that you are claiming. In order to ensure that you receive what is fair, it’s crucial that you have a skilled legal team on your side to protect your rights and fight for the compensation you need and deserve.

For dedicated legal representation in your corner, contact Huffman & Huffman at (757) 599-6050 or fill out our online contact form. We offer free case reviews and there are no legal fees unless we help win you compensation.

Categories

Relative Posts

  • What Is the Meaning of Wrongful Death?

    In simplest terms, wrongful death is the death of a person due to another party’s wrongful actions. The term is generally used concerning a civil cause of action brought about by family members of the deceased. If someone were to die as the result of someone else’s misconduct, the death could be seen as wrongful,...

    View Article

  • Types of Negligence & How They Apply in Different Scenarios

    Personal injury law in the United States hinges on the existence of negligence. Negligence is the failure of a person to act as a reasonably prudent person under the circumstances. To prove negligence, the defendant must first have owed a duty to the plaintiff. Then, the plaintiff must have committed a breach of that duty,...

    View Article

  • SHARING THE ROAD SAFELY WITH MOTORCYCLES IN VIRGINIA

    The warmer weather is here and that means that more motorcyclists will be on the road. Unfortunately, motorcyclists are overrepresented in crashes and fatalities every year.  Huffman & Huffman Brothers-in-Law is joining the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) efforts to raise motorcycle safety awareness. With the increase in motorcycles on the road...

    View Article