Can I Ask for Compensation for Lost Wages in My Slip-and-Fall Injury Claim?
A slip and fall on an icy sidewalk, a wet floor, or a broken step can leave you with serious injuries and a long road to recovery.Missing work while recovering from an injury can be financially devastating.
In the U.S., non-fatal injuries result in an average of 11 lost workdays and $1,590 in missed pay. A brain injury can stretch that to nearly 20 days and $2,787, making it even harder to stay afloat.
If a property owner’s negligence caused injuries that kept you from working in Oklahoma, you have the right to seek compensation for lost wages. But what types of income losses qualify, and what evidence do you need to support your claim?
Learn what counts as lost income, how to calculate it, and why working with an experienced Oklahoma City slip-and-fall injury lawyer can help you recover what you’re owed.
Understanding Lost Wages in a Slip-and-Fall Injury Claim
When you’re injured in a slip-and-fall accident, the financial impact can extend beyond immediate medical bills. Lost wages refer to the income you’re unable to earn due to your injury and include:
| Category | What It Covers | Example |
| Regular Earnings | Hourly or salary wages, overtime pay, and performance-based bonuses or commissions. | A retail worker earning $20/hour misses 10 shifts due to a slip and fall. They can recover $2,000 in lost pay. |
| Paid Time Off & Benefits | Sick days, vacation time, and any other paid leave used during recovery. | An injured office employee uses 15 sick days while recovering. They can seek reimbursement for the full value of their PTO. |
| Reduced Earning Capacity | Lower wages caused by long-term limitations that prevent returning to the same job or working the same hours. | A construction worker is transferred to a lower-paying desk job after a slip-and-fall injury. They can recover the difference between old and new wages. |
| Lost Future Income | Missed promotions, delayed salary increases, and lost self-employment opportunities due to extended recovery or permanent disability. | A photographer loses a $10K contract due to extended recovery. In a settlement, they can claim these lost projected earnings. |
A clear understanding of these categories helps ensure that every aspect of your financial loss is accurately included in your claim.
How To Calculate and Prove Lost Wages After a Slip-and-Fall Accident
To prove lost wages, you’ll need solid documentation and a clear explanation of how your injury impacted your ability to work. Follow these steps to assess the full financial impact of your injuries:
- Gather Medical Records: Collect doctor’s notes, treatment plans, and work restriction letters to establish how long the injury prevented you from working.
- Confirm Pay Rate and Hours: Request a statement from your employer detailing your hourly wage or salary, scheduled hours, and total missed workdays to calculate base lost earnings.
- Calculate Lost Benefits: If you are unable to return to work, request documentation from HR showing the value of lost health insurance, retirement contributions, or stock options, and add these amounts to total lost wages.
- Include Missed Promotions or Contracts: Collect offer letters, emails, or employer statements confirming a lost raise, promotion, or contract, and use past earnings or salary projections to estimate the impact.
- Review Financial Records: Review pay stubs, tax returns, and bank statements to calculate your average earnings, factoring in bonuses, commissions, and any income fluctuations.
- Estimate Long-Term Losses: Consult vocational experts to assess whether the injury affects future earning capacity, and use economic projections to estimate lost future income.
Following these steps with the guidance of an experienced slip-and-fall attorney can help ensure that all financial losses, both immediate and long-term, are fully accounted for in your claim.
Why Hiring an Attorney Can Help You Maximize Compensation for Lost Wages
Handling a slip-and-fall claim while recovering from injuries can be stressful. A qualified slip-and-fall attorney can protect your interests and help you maximize compensation in the following ways:
- Collect medical records, employer statements, and pay stubs to prove how the injury affected income.
- Calculate total financial losses, including current wages, future earnings, reduced earning capacity, and lost benefits.
- Review potential missed promotions or lost contracts and gather evidence to include them in the claim.
- Negotiate with insurers to challenge low settlement offers and fight for full compensation.
- File a lawsuit and present a strong case in court if the insurance company refuses to pay a fair amount.
At Parrish DeVaughn, we understand that every dollar counts when you’re out of work. Our team has secured millions for injury victims, ensuring they recover both medical costs and lost wages.
Get the Lost Wages You’re Entitled to With Parrish DeVaughn Injury Lawyers
If you’ve been injured in a slip-and-fall accident and are facing lost wages as a result, don’t handle this challenging time alone. Contact Parrish DeVaughn to schedule a free consultation. We’re here to support you, fight for your rights, and help you pursue the compensation you need to move forward.
