If you are injured in an accident and cannot work, you are probably worried about how you will pay your bills and support yourself and your family. Depending on how severe your injuries are, you may be out of work for only a few days, or you may be unable to work for months or permanently.
If the accident was caused by another party, you may be entitled to recover compensation for your damages from the at-fault party and/or their insurance carrier. Another option may be filing for Social Security Disability Income.
You need to consult an experienced Oklahoma City personal injury attorney to help protect your rights and explain all your options for financial relief.
What Are Considered Lost Wages?
Lost wages are the income you would have earned from your job from the time of your accident until the time you receive compensation through a verdict or settlement.
If you are an hourly employee, you would multiply your hourly wage by the number of hours missed from work to determine your lost wages.
If you are a salaried employee, you will need to first calculate what hourly wage applies. To do this, you would divide your annual salary by the typical number of hours worked in a year, which is 2,080. This will give you your hourly wage. Once you know your hourly wage, multiply it by the number of hours of work you have missed to determine your lost wages.
What If I Can Still Work But Not At The Same Position?
If the accident keeps you from earning the same amount of income you did before the accident, you may also be entitled to recover for lost earning capacity.
If you are disabled and unable to work, your lost earning capacity will be calculated based on your age, standard of living before the accident, and prior earning history.
An experienced Oklahoma City accident attorney can help accurately calculate all damages, including lost wages and opportunities. At Warhawk Legal, we often consult with economists and other experts to ensure all damages are included and fairly calculated to determine our clients’ case values.
Can I File For Social Security Disability Payments After an Accident?
Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) payments. To be eligible for SSDI, you must:
- Have paid into Social Security for at least five out of the last ten years.
- Prove that your disability keeps you from holding the job you had before or any other job for at least one year or that doing so might end in your death.
Additionally, you may be eligible for Social Security Income (SSI) if you have little or no income.
For SSDI, the Social Security Administration lists qualifying injuries in what is known as their Blue Book.
At Warhawk Legal, we can explain your rights and help you understand your options.
What Will A Personal Injury Lawyer Do For Me?
You will almost always receive a significantly better outcome when you are represented by an experienced Oklahoma City truck wreck lawyer. Some of the things an attorney can do for you include:
- Investigate your accident to determine all possible causes and potentially liable parties to maximize compensation.
- Help accurately calculate your damages, including lost wages and lost opportunities, so you know what is a fair settlement offer for your case.
- Negotiate with insurance companies to help reach a fair settlement as quickly as possible.
- Explain your rights and help you determine your best options.
- Help you file a claim with the Social Security Administration (SSA) and represent you at any SSA hearings.
Schedule a Free Consultation To Discuss Your Case
At Warhawk Legal, we help accident injury victims recover the compensation they deserve. If you have missed work and lost wages after an accident, we want to help.
Call (405) 397-1717 or visit our contact page to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.