Tell your doctor you need a medical narrative for your claim. The physical and mental requirements of your job will determine how long you may be off work. It’s important to discuss with your doctor how your injuries affect your ability to perform your job. However, the insurance adjuster will need much more information about your time off work before they’ll pay. The insurance adjuster won’t approve reimbursement for time off work that isn’t medically necessary and directly related to your injuries.Īsk your doctor for a regular “work slip” even if you’re employer doesn’t require one, or if you’re self-employed.
Undocumented IncomeĪlthough you may depend on cash income to help make ends meet, you will not be able to make a successful claim for undocumented lost income, such as unreported tips, side jobs, and other unreported income.Įven if you can get a letter from someone who says they pay you regularly to work for them, you run the risk of serious trouble if you are working “off the books,” meaning the income hasn’t been reported to the IRS or other government agencies. You or your attorney can prepare an itemized list with the dollar amounts of your lost wages, vacation pay, perks, and benefits to calculate the lost wages part of any type of injury claim. Don’t leave the calculations to the insurance company. It’s vitally important to include all types of lost compensation in a workplace injury claim to ensure you get the correct amount of workers’ compensation wage benefits. The at-fault party, or their insurance company, should reimburse you for your total lost income. Think about any other types of benefits you receive from your employer that you lost because you were out of work after an injury. Retirement Fund Contributions: While out because of your injuries, you may have missed making contributions to pension funds, 401(k) and similar retirement plans, missed your employer’s match to your retirement funds, and also missed payroll contributions to Social Security.Pay Raises: You may have been up for a scheduled salary increase, including the cost of living (COLA) or a merit raise that you missed because of your injury.Perks: Many employees rely on fringe benefits from their employer, including the value of health and life insurance, stock or stock options, profit-sharing plans, and gasoline or other transportation allowances.If you were in line for a bonus, and your injuries prevented you from getting it, you can demand reimbursement for those amounts. You might earn a bonus because you had the highest sales for the month, or hit some other benchmark. Bonuses and Commissions: Employers usually pay bonuses based on an employee’s performance.Bonus days include national holidays, birthdays, comp days, and “personal” days. Bonus Days: Bonus days are any other days off from work you had to use or failed to earn while recovering.Vacation Days: Just as with sick days, you should be compensated for vacation days lost while recovering from your injuries.Most states consider it an unfair burden to make someone lose sick days they will no longer have for future use. Sick Days: If you had to use sick leave while recovering from your injuries, you should be reimbursed for the value of those days.Overtime: Hourly workers who typically worked overtime each week or during busy seasons can recover the lost overtime pay.Rate of Pay: Your regular hourly wage or salary that would have been paid while you’re unable to work.You have the right to demand reimbursement for lost income from your base pay, and the financial value of other benefits you rely on from your employer. Income losses include all wages, benefits, and perks that are part of a worker’s total compensation package. Whether you’re injured in an auto accident, slip and fall, or work accident, be sure to include all the lost wages and other forms of compensation you’re entitled to. There’s more to your total income than just your hourly wage. If you’re in a car accident in a no-fault state you can recover lost wages through your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. Lost wages should be part of your personal injury claim against the at-fault party. When you’re injured because of someone else’s negligence, you have a right to be reimbursed for the income you lose while you recuperate.
0 kommentar(er)
