Following a traumatic accident, most victims are solely focused on recovering from their physical injuries. However, while certainly severe, physical trauma is not the only obstacle you may face after an accident. Many people find they cannot work the way they used to, costing them their regular wages and making it difficult for them to support themselves and their families. Fortunately, there are a number of programs to help in recovering lost wages so that you can live comfortably and safely. Learn about recovering lost wages after an accident and find out how hiring a personal injury lawyer can help.
If your accident occurred through the course of your work, the best way to recoup some of your lost wages is through a workers’ compensation claim. Workers’ compensation is specifically designed to support injured employees until such a time that they are able to return to work. Depending on the state that you live in, or the nature of your job, your employer may be legally required to carry workers’ comp insurance, which you should be able to take advantage of following an on-the-job injury. Directly following a workplace injury, consult your employer and ask about your employer’s workers’ compensation status and how you can receive these benefits.
Should your injury have happened someplace other than the workplace, or if your job doesn’t offer workers’ comp, there are a number of disability benefits programs to help with recovering lost wages.
If your injury prevents you from working for a limited time, you can apply for temporary total disability, which will cover two-thirds of your wages until you can work again. If your injury only allows you to work for brief periods of time, then you may be eligible for temporary partial disability, which also covers 66% lost wages. Finally, if your injury is deemed severe enough that you will never return to work, you can receive permanent total disability benefits, which provides you with two-thirds of your lost wages for the rest of your life.
Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond their control, many people are left with absolutely no financial recourse following an accident, leaving them in a terrible situation where their future livelihood is in doubt. In these circumstances, where you have been denied both workers’ comp and disability benefits, you should consult an attorney about your options. An expert personal injury attorney can help you develop a personal injury case that will help you with recovering lost wages so that you can support yourself until your injuries have healed.
After you’ve been hurt in an accident, it can be hard to know how to move on, especially if your accident prevents you from working. The loss of your wages, on top of your physical injuries, makes it extremely difficult to recover. However, you don’t have to go through this process alone. If you need legal help with recovering lost wages, we recommend you hire a personal injury attorney from the Tatum Law Firm. The Tatum Law Firm’s expert legal team will do everything in their power to fight for your lost wages so that you can move on with your life. Request a consultation today!