You can recover the value of your lost wages in a Naples personal injury claim if you sustained an injury in an accident that caused you to miss work for any time. A Naples personal injury lawyer will document your lost income from all sources and build a solid case for financial recovery. They will deal with the insurance company and their document and evidentiary requests for you.
Most law firms will provide a free consultation to learn about your case, the cause of your accident, and its potential monetary value. Getting one today is the best way to explore your financial recovery options.
What Types Of Lost Wages Can You Recover In A Naples Personal Injury Claim?
If someone else’s negligence caused your accident, you can seek compensation for various damages, including lost income. While every claim will vary, the lost wages you can recover include:
- Full–and part–time income: Any compensation you would have earned from your regular source of employment, including lost vacation days, paid time off (PTO), and benefits.
- Freelance and consultancy income: Any income you would have earned from self-employment, commission-based sales, and independent income sources.
- Hard–to–prove income: Any wages you would have earned from seasonal and side gigs can be challenging to establish alone.
Moreover, a catastrophic injury could lead to lifelong disabilities that permanently prevent you from working. Depending on the extent of your injuries, you can also recover damages for your loss of future earning ability.
Does Personal Insurance Protection (PIP) Coverage Include Lost Wages?
PIP coverage kicks in immediately if your personal injury claim results from a car accident. All registered vehicle owners in Florida must carry this coverage, which will pay up to 60% of their lost wages.
PIP’s protection is limited. While it often provides immediate relief, it might not cover all your damages. Once you exhaust PIP’s maximum coverage, a car accident attorney can describe your additional compensation options.
How Do Personal Injury Lawyers Prove Lost Wages In A Personal Injury Claim?
The at-fault party’s insurance company will demand evidence proving how much income you have lost to date and your anticipated income losses. Your lawyer will provide such documentation by collecting the following:
- Paycheck stubs
- Direct deposit receipts
- Tax forms
- Business ledgers
Your lawyer will also describe the evidence that establishes the value of hard-to-prove income. They will build this portion of your case file in addition to collecting proof of the accident’s cause—the key to pursuing financial recovery.
Are Lost Wages The Only Personal Injury Damages You Can Recover?
Recovering your lost income is only the start of your compensation request. You can also request a range of additional economic damages, including:
- Past and future medical bills
- In-home medical support
- Assistive medical devices
- Rehabilitation and therapy
- Treatment-related travel
- Property damage or loss
- Diminished property value
The noneconomic damages you can request include:
- Physical disability
- Disfiguring injuries
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
If a negligence-based accident resulted in a fatality, the decedent’s family could recover compensation. Wrongful death damages include compensation for the costs of the decedent’s final arrangements. It also compensates the family for their loss of financial support, household contributions, guidance, and companionship.
How Long Do I Have To File A Personal Injury Lawsuit In Naples, Florida?
The state limits how long you have to file a lawsuit after an accident in Naples. It can be challenging to meet the filing deadline since it can fluctuate for many reasons. It also changed in 2024, adding to potential confusion when filing a lawsuit. In general:
- The personal injury statute of limitations is generally two years, according to Florida Statutes § 95.11(5)(a)
- The wrongful death statute of limitations is generally two years, according to Florida Statutes § 95.11(5)(e)
Filing your lawsuit on time is mandatory. If you miss the filing deadline, the court could bar you from filing your lawsuit. However, you do not have to interpret the statutory filing date alone. A lawyer can help you avoid this potentially costly outcome by filing your lawsuit.
Do You Need A Lawyer To Obtain Lost Wages In A Naples Personal Injury Claim?
Hiring a lawyer has many benefits, including letting you focus on your physical recovery without losing valuable time on your injury claim. A lawyer can also deal with the insurance company on your behalf. They will:
- Conduct an independent investigation
- Prove the at-fault party’s negligence
- Document every avenue of income you’ve lost
- Build a persuasive evidence collection
- File your insurance claim and lawsuit
- Handle all case-related communication
- Locate and interview eyewitnesses
Your lawyer will also keep you updated on your case, including each phase of the negotiation process. They will field offers, make counteroffers, and guide you toward the best possible financial recovery for you.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire A Personal Injury Attorney?
Personal injury lawyers typically work on contingency. In this arrangement, the law firm covers all the costs of preparing your claim without requesting any upfront or out-of-pocket fees from you. Instead, their compensation is a percentage of your recovered damages—meaning if they don’t win your case, you owe them nothing. Thus, hiring a local attorney is risk-free.
Get Help Recovering Lost Wages For A Naples Personal Injury Claim
If you or someone you love sustained an injury due to another person or entity’s negligence, the personal injury lawyers at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine could help you get compensation. We will investigate your accident and take on the at-fault party and their insurance provider.
Find out how you can recover lost wages in a Naples personal injury claim with a no-cost, no-obligation consultation. Contact our case review team to get started today.