When you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, it can prevent you from being able to work, whether it’s temporary or a long-term matter. If you’ve suffered an injury that has left you unable to work, it’s in your best interest to contact a determined New York City Personal Injury Lawyer who can help you navigate your legal options and fight for the compensation you need to get your life back on track. Please continue reading to learn whether you can seek compensation for future lost wages in a personal injury claim.
What Damages Are Available in a Personal Injury Case in New York?
If you’ve been injured due to another party’s negligence, it’s crucial to understand what compensation you can seek for your losses. Generally, when you file a personal injury claim, you can seek monetary compensation for your economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are intended to compensate injured parties for out-of-pocket expenses. This can include medical bills, lost wages, property damage, household services, etc. Non-economic damages are designed to compensate injured parties for subjective losses. This can consist of pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, emotional distress, loss of consortium, etc.
Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may be unable to continue working. As mentioned above, you may be able to recover compensation for any wages you lose or will lose because of your injuries. If you cannot work for a set period, can work but can’t perform the duties of your old position, or are unable to ever return to work, you can seek compensation for future lost wages.
How Can I Prove Future Lost Wages?
As mentioned above, it can be challenging to prove future lost earnings because of the speculation involved. Essentially, you may experience some recovery over time that eventually allows you to return to work, whether part-time or full-time, in a different role or even in an entirely different line of work than you did before your injuries. For instance, the defense could argue that you may not be able to return to your old job, but you may be able to perform some other work. Therefore, this variety of possibilities, including the severity of your injuries and whether you can ever return to work, can impact the amount you’re entitled to receive.
You will have to present considerable evidence in court to prove the extent of your injuries and the wages you’ve lost due to another’s negligence. Collecting your employment records is crucial. This includes any pay stubs, tax returns, and other documents demonstrating your income and work history. This will showcase your pre-injury earnings, ensuring that the amount you receive reflects your financial situation before the accident. In addition, expert testimony can significantly bolster your claim. They objectively assess how the accident impacted your ability to earn money now and in the future.
Medical documentation is also vital. It’s crucial to keep track of all of your medical records, which will clearly outline the extent of your injuries, your treatment, and any restrictions your medical provider has recommended. Medical documentation is imperative as it can link your injuries to the loss of income. Furthermore, it would be best if you established your career trajectory. This can be achieved by documenting your job titles, responsibilities, promotions, raises, and plans for future advancement. Showcasing your growth and potential before the accident will help prove the accident’s impact on your professional life.
If you require legal assistance in recovering compensation for future lost wages from a negligent party, please don’t hesitate to contact an adept lawyer from James Newman, P.C., who can help you fight for the just compensation you deserve.
