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Can I Recover Lost Wages in a Personal Injury Lawsuit?
Written/Reviewed By:
Barry S. Kantrowitz, Esq.
Last Updated: Jun 5, 2026
Read Time: 3 mins
You could recover lost wages in a personal injury lawsuit if you were employed at the time of the accident and forced to miss work due to your injuries. You will need to provide documentation that proves the wages and other benefits you could not recoup because of your accident. At Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C., we have the experience and the knowledge to guide you through this process. We are tireless advocates for our clients.
Different Types of Compensation That Fall Under Lost Wages
Lost wages mean the amount you would have made had your injuries not forced you to miss time at work. This amount is calculated by determining your average daily wage and multiplying that by the number of days you missed. While lost wages may sound like a relatively straightforward term, it also encompasses a number of different forms of compensation, including the following:
- Salary
- Hourly wages
- Tips
- Bonuses
- Incentives
- Benefits
- Vacation time
- Paid sick leave
- Retirement accounts
How You Can Prove the Amount of Your Lost Wages
As noted, it’s important to hire legal representation because you are eligible to recover different types of compensation under the umbrella of lost wages. At Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C., we always recommend that individuals consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible following the accident. They will explain how you can go about documenting the precise amount. Some of the items you will want to procure may include:
- Proof of employment at the time of the accident, such as an employment contract
- Pay stubs
- Tax returns
- Written documentation from your employer that specifies what you were making at the time of the accident
What Is Future Lost Wages?
Please note that even if you can ultimately return to work following your accident, you may still be eligible to recover for past lost wages. Similarly, your lawsuit may be settled or go to trial before you can return, especially if you were seriously injured. If this is the case, you may be eligible to recover future lost wages. These are typically awarded when the victim is expected to incur a further loss of wages even after resolving the personal injury lawsuit. Some of the tools you may use to prove that amount would include:
- Testimony of a medical expert who is familiar with your prognosis and understands if and when you might be expected to make a full recovery, and to what degree you will be able to return to the workforce
- A financial expert’s testimony that can specify earnings and benefits you would have been expected to earn had you not been injured
Outstanding Results
For nearly half a century, we have been zealously advocating for justice on behalf of injured victims. We pride ourselves in providing exactly what many personal injury victims are looking for– the ability to take your case and win a substantial amount of financial compensation on your behalf, and also the compassion and personal attention that your case deserves. That is why our slogan is “Big enough to do it all, small enough to care.”
Contact Us for a Free Consultation
If you have missed time from work due to an injury suffered in an accident, call Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C. to schedule a free case review. We handle personal injury cases, in Rockland and Bergen Counties and elsewhere, on a contingency fee basis– meaning we never bill our clients unless they win their case.
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