A serious injury can affect every part of your life, including your ability to earn a living and support your family. Whether you were hurt in a car crash or injured on the job, losing your income adds a financial strain that can be hard to manage.
If you can’t return to work or have to take a lower-paying job, a legal claim may help you recover what you’ve lost, but what exactly does that include? Future income? Training for a new career? Missed bonuses or promotions?
Understanding what to expect can help you feel more prepared and make decisions about your financial future. Learn what compensation you may be entitled to and how a skilled Miami personal injury lawyer can help you pursue support for income and career setbacks.
Lost Wages: What’s Included in a Personal Injury Claim
In Florida, if someone else caused your injury, such as in a car accident, you may have the right to file a personal injury claim. These claims do more than cover medical expenses; They can also include income you lost while recovering from the accident.
Lost wages refer to the money you would have earned if you hadn’t been injured. This includes your regular pay and any overtime you were likely to receive. Time missed for surgery, recovery, or follow-up appointments all count.
You may also be able to recover:
- Bonuses or commissions you were on track to earn.
- Promotions you missed because of extended time off.
- Job benefits such as retirement contributions, paid time off, or employer-sponsored health coverage.
Including these losses in your damage claim helps reflect the full impact your injury has had on your career, income, and long-term financial stability.
Reduced Earning Capacity and Long-Term Impact
It’s frustrating to want to return to work but be physically unable to do what you used to. That loss isn’t just financial; it’s emotional, too.
If your accident led to permanent limitations or disability, your claim can also include lost future income. This type of damage, often called reduced earning capacity, looks at how your ability to work has changed over time.
For example, a delivery driver who suffers a spinal injury may be unable to return to a driving job. If the only roles available pay less or offer fewer hours, that income gap can be calculated and added to your claim.
Future wage loss also considers:
- Your age and expected remaining working years.
- Your training, skills, and experience.
- The type of work you can do now.
- The overall impact on your career trajectory.
An experienced Miami personal injury attorney can work with financial experts to estimate lost future income and include it in your settlement demand.
Job Loss After a Work-Related Injury
If you were injured at work, your claim may fall under workers’ compensation instead of personal injury law. Florida does not require you to prove your employer was at fault for your injuries in order to receive workers’ compensation benefits, but the type of support available and how it applies can depend on the details of your injury and your ability to return to work.
If your injury prevents you from returning to your previous role, your employer may be required to offer a different position that fits your medical restrictions. That role must often provide similar pay. You may be eligible for vocational training to prepare for work in a new field if no suitable positions are available.
Workers’ comp benefits can include:
- Wage replacement, typically 66% of your average weekly earnings.
- Medical treatment and rehabilitation for your injury.
- Disability compensation, up to 80% of your regular wages, depending on severity.
- Vocational training if you can’t return to your original job.
If you were wrongfully terminated after a workplace injury or denied benefits that should apply to your case, a qualified attorney can review your situation, help you file an appeal, or take further legal action.
Proving Job-Related Losses
To file a successful claim, you must show how your injuries affected your job. That includes both immediate losses and future limitations. That means providing documentation that supports your income loss and work restrictions, including:
- Pay stubs from before and after the injury.
- Employer statements confirming your schedule, pay rate, or lost opportunities.
- Letters from your doctor explaining your work restrictions.
- Vocational assessments that evaluate what jobs you can do now.
- Reports from economists or financial experts calculating future wage loss.
Your legal team can help gather these records and work with medical experts, vocational specialists, and financial analysts to build a strong claim.
Why You Need a Qualified Attorney
Insurance companies don’t automatically calculate how an injury affects your ability to earn. They may offer a quick settlement that only covers medical bills, leaving out lost earning potential, career setbacks, and missed opportunities.
A knowledgeable personal injury lawyer can push for a more complete picture of your losses. They can:
- Gather detailed evidence to show how your injuries have affected your ability to earn a living.
- Work with a financial expert to calculate future lost income.
- Identify overlooked damages, like missed bonuses or promotions.
- Negotiate with the insurance company to pursue a fair settlement.
At Aigen Injury Law, we work to recover the full value of what you’ve lost and make sure you receive the support needed for long-term financial recovery and stability.
Get Maximum Compensation With Aigen Injury Law
An injury shouldn’t derail your future, especially when it impacts your ability to work and support your family. If you’ve lost your job or seen a drop in income after a severe injury, you’re not alone. Aigen Injury Law is here to help.
We understand how life-changing a serious injury can be physically and financially. Whether pursuing a personal injury claim or navigating a workers’ compensation case, our team is committed to securing the full support you deserve. That includes lost wages, missed benefits, and reduced long-term earning potential.
Let us help you understand your options and fight for the compensation you’re owed. Contact Aigen Injury Law for a free consultation.