The aftermath of a car accident can be overwhelming, leaving you not only physically and emotionally shaken, but also facing financial burdens due to missed work and lost wages. Many people are unaware that lost wages are a viable claim when it comes to car accidents in Atlanta, while others simply don’t know that they actually can demand to be compensated for the money they lost while being injured.
In this blog post, we want to illustrate the importance of understanding lost wages from a car accident in personal injury law, while emphasizing the many ways you can file a claim for them whenever you are involved in a car accident.
Lost wages, in the context of car accidents, refer to the income you lose due to being unable to work after sustaining an injury. Whether you require hospitalization, experience temporary limitations, or need long-term recovery, any income you would have earned during that period falls under lost wages. This encompasses:
Base salary: This is your regular pay, calculated according to your hourly or salaried rate.
Overtime and bonuses: If you receive regular overtime or performance-based bonuses, these should also be included in your claim.
Commissions and tips: If your income relies heavily on commissions or tips, you can claim the average or projected amount you would have earned during your absence.
Vacation and sick leave: If you’ve used accrued vacation or sick leave due to the accident, their monetary value can be included in your claim.
Here are key points to consider when filing a lost wage claim:
Keep thorough records of the days you missed work due to the accident, including the dates and hours you weren’t able to work, as well as any supporting documentation from your employer, such as payroll records or doctor’s notes.
This will help you and your lawyers calculate the exact amount of wages you lost during the time you were incapable of performing your duties.
Besides, having thorough documentation of this kind will also serve as evidence of your injuries and suffering, allowing your case to become stronger. Always remember that a strong case relies on the amount of evidence you are able to provide, leaving no room for hesitation when it comes to giving a ruling in your favor.
On the same note as before, a big part of establishing all your lost wages includes having a proper understanding of your situation, as well as a clear picture of why you were absent from your job. Seeking medical attention immediately after being involved in a car accident is the only way you will get the correct assessment, not only for your health but for your documentation as well. An official doctor’s note can be the difference between winning and losing a personal injury case.
Similarly, notifying your employer of your situation is also incredibly important, since they will be the ones who can vouch for your absence and the wages you lost due to being injured. The combination of the doctor’s note and the support of your employer is a winning combination that only fails in the rarest of circumstances.
This is arguably the most crucial step. Being properly guided through the complicated legal process of personal injury claims is the most essential part of receiving a favorable ruling at the end of your case.
Only the most knowledgeable and capable attorneys, like those at Castan, Lecca & Boeschen, are able to achieve compensation for their clients without simply settling for a meager amount offered by liable third parties or insurance companies.
Consider consulting with a personal injury attorney who specializes in car accidents, their expertise will surely be the trump card in your case. They can provide guidance on your legal rights and options for pursuing compensation for lost wages, material losses, and psychological damages.
Castan, Lecca & Boeschen are always here to provide superior results to all those who place their trust in us. Our exceptional lawyers are always on the lookout for the next big win, aiming to bring stability and peace to all the lives that have been affected by car accidents and similar situations.
Remember, more than one person can be found liable for your accident, therefore, you are entitled to demand compensation for your lost wages from different individuals or companies.
Make sure to thoroughly plan your legal strategy with a competent team of professionals if you wish to achieve complete justice.
Most of the time, these types of cases can last a long time, so patience and determination are a must whenever you plan to file a claim for lost wages and other kind of damages. It’s important to feel supported by all those who surround you during these difficult times, not only emotionally, but legally as well.
Always keep in mind that the ones who will accompany you until the end will be your lawyers. Make a sound choice when selecting one to represent you!
If you or anyone you know has been involved in a car accident recently and wish to fight for their rights, don’t hesitate to contact Castan, Lecca & Boeschen for a free consultation! We will explain all your legal options and advise you to the best of our abilities, empowering you to make informed decisions and advocate for your well-being.
Trusting us ensures you have a team filled with passionate legal professionals ready to defend your case until the last second. Call today at 678-825-3611 and allow us to assist you!
51 Lenox Pointe NE
Atlanta, GA 30324
4131 Steve Reynolds Blvd #102
Norcross, GA 30093
Dustin Thompson
Attorney
Dustin Thompson was raised in rural Camilla, Georgia. Dustin graduated from Georgia Southern University majoring in political science and history. After graduation, Dustin obtained a law degree from Georgia State University College of Law in Atlanta. Before becoming a lawyer, Dustin worked a variety of jobs from a watermelon farm in Mitchell County to a policy think tank in Washington D.C. Dustin has practiced law almost exclusively in the workers’ compensation arena since 2014. For nearly a decade, he worked for a large defense firm in Georgia representing employers and insurers and gaining the invaluable experience and knowledge of how insurers defend claims. In 2023, Dustin joined the firm to use his expertise and litigation skills to help individuals who have been injured as a result of work accidents and third-party negligence. Dustin has been repeatedly recognized by Best Lawyers: “Ones to Watch” in the practice of workers’ compensation. Outside of work, Dustin enjoys traveling, hunting, and attending sporting events. He and his family are active in Buckhead Church.
MICHAEL BOESCHEN
Attorney
Michael Boeschen (Mike) was born in Wichita, KS and raised in Chattanooga, TN. Mike graduated from The McCallie School and went on to study history, Spanish, and Latin American Studies at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. After graduation, he went on to pursue a law degree from the University Of Georgia School Of Law. During law school, Mike participated in the Legal Aid Clinic, assisting in the defense of indigent criminal defendants. Mike has been licensed to practice law in Georgia since 2002 and his main practice area consists of representing injured workers as they navigate through the Georgia workers’ compensation system. Mike is also fluent in Spanish. In his spare time Mike enjoys following soccer, cooking, and spending time with his wife and two young daughters. Mike and his family are parishioners of the Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Sandy Springs, GA
CHRISTIAN PECONE
Attorney
ED DENKER
Attorney
ILIANA DOBREV
Attorney
KEN THAXTON
Attorney
ALEXANDER LECCA
Attorney
DANIEL CASTAN
Attorney
Dan Castan is a senior partner at Castan and Lecca, PC in Buckhead and represents injured workers before the State Board of Workers’ Compensation and plaintiffs in State and Superior Courts of Georgia for injuries suffered in accidents. Dan litigated one of the seminal claims securing the rights of undocumented workers to receive Workers’ Compensation benefits in the state of Georgia when injured in the case of Wet Walls, Inc. vs. Ledesma. Dan has successfully fought and settled multi million dollar cases. He was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey to immigrant parents from Cuba. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Boston College and received his Juris Doctor from The Washington College of Law at The American University in Washington D.C. Dan was admitted to the Georgia Bar in November, 1993. He is an active member of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, Atlanta Bar Association and the Workers’ Compensation Section of the State Bar of Georgia. Dan is a founding member and Director of the Latino Victory Fund Georgia and serves on the Board of The Latin American Association. Dan has been dedicated to getting Latinos elected to local, state and Federal offices in Georgia. He has been a Big Brother through Big Brothers and Sisters of Metro Atlanta and a mentor through The Latin American Association’s mentor/mentee program. Dan is married with two children.
