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Out of work after an accident? Learn how to get compensated.

Recovering Compensation for Lost IncomeIf you have been injured in an accident, your medical bills may be putting quite a strain on your finances. Any time spent out of work due to your injury will only make matters worse.

Fortunately, if your accident was caused by another party’s negligence, you can include compensation in for lost income in your claim.

What Is Included in Lost Income?

Los income can include much more than just regular wages. Traditionally, California courts have ruled that personal injury victims deserve compensation for all types of earnings that they miss out on due to their injuries, including sick days, vacation days, bonuses, and other perks.

3 Types of Proof Needed

In order to prove your need for compensation for lost income, the following 3 types of proof are needed:

Proof of Income: Obviously, you will need to prove what your income was before your injury left you unable to work. In most cases, pay stubs are sufficient proof, but if you have income from non-traditional employment we may need to delve into your tax records, bank statements, etc.

Proof of Injuries: It is also critical to show that you were injured in the accident, and that these injuries precluded you from working for the specified period of time for which you are seeking compensation. Medical records alone are typically not sufficient—we also need to secure a detailed write-up of your injuries from your doctor along with a prognosis for your recovery stating when you might be healthy enough to return to work. This helps prevent the defense from arguing that your injuries were not really serious enough to keep you out of work for the entire time you claim.

Proof of Liability: Finally, we need to be sure we can prove that the defendant is indeed liable for your injuries and therefore responsible for all forms of compensation you may require, including lost income, medical expenses, pain and suffering, etc. Many different types of documentation may be used to prove liability depending on the nature of the case. For example in a car accident you might have a police report, eyewitness statements, photos of the scene, and perhaps even analysis from an expert accident reconstructionist.

Maximize Your Compensation By Retaining Fernando D. Vargas

At the Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas, we will work hard to build the strongest possible case for you to receive full and fair compensation for your losses following an accident—including but not limited to compensation for lost income. To get started please call 909-982-0707 to set up a free initial consultation with Attorney Vargas.