Can The Lawyer Help Me Recover Medical Expenses And Lost Wages?

If someone’s negligent actions injured you so badly that you have to miss work, they may be responsible for covering your medical expenses and lost wages. However, holding that person accountable usually requires extensive insurance paperwork and navigating complex legal procedures.

At Kogan & DiSalvo, our attorneys help clients recover medical costs and lost income after an accident. Find out what types of damages qualify and how you can streamline the process of getting compensation.

What Qualifies as Medical Expenses for Personal Injury Claims?

Medical damages are any healthcare costs you incur because of an injury that resulted from another person’s negligence. The negligence can be either careless or intentional and due to action or inaction. 

Examples of common medical expenses that plaintiffs can receive payment for include:

• Fees for emergency rides to the hospital and transportation to and from medical appointments 
• Charges for surgeries and operations
• Costs of medication and medical equipment or assistive devices
• Bills for doctor’s visits, check-ups, follow-up appointments and diagnostics
• Charges for ongoing rehabilitation, physical therapy and treatment

The key is that these costs must arise from the harm you suffered from the accident. If you injure yourself in some unrelated way after the accident, the defendant or insurer will not be responsible for those bills. However, if the accident aggravates an existing ailment, you can typically get damages for this harm as well. 

What Are Lost Wages?

Lost wages are the income you would have generated had you not been dealing with the aftermath of the accident that caused your injuries. The at-fault party must cover these damages, too. 

Curing your injuries often means significant time away from work. Not only must you deal with the medical bills, but you also miss out on money you could be earning on the job. Lost wages compensation makes up for this. 

Lost wages also include benefits you lose from missing work, such as sick days, paid time off and vacation days. If you used these benefits to care for your health after the accident, lost wages compensation should also account for this. 

What’s the Difference Between Lost Wages and Lost Earning Potential?

Lost earning potential describes the income you may have obtained in the future had you not suffered your injuries. These are a separate category from lost wages and require even more work to prove.

As an example, house painters need their hands, arms, legs and full mobility to do their job well. If the injuries from the accident permanently compromised any of these functions, that person could likely claim lost earning potential. The person doesn’t just lose time caring for the injuries now; they may not be able to work as much or lose clients because of having a reduced workload.

Any injuries that require a job change can incur damages for lost earning potential. If your injuries force you into a career change where you have to “start over,” you likely miss out on possible perks and promotions that would have otherwise been available. 

How Do Our Lawyers Help You Recover Medical Expenses and Lost Wages After an Accident?

Our team at Kogan & DiSalvo helps you get justice for lost work time and medical costs by handling the bulk of legal work. 

Free Consultation

We start by providing a free case evaluation that lets you know if your claim qualifies for damages and how we can help. With that information, you can choose whether you wish to work with our team.

Full Investigation

We take time to get to know you and the circumstances of your accident and injuries. We launch a comprehensive investigation, gathering any other evidence and keeping it organized and ready to support your case. These items include your medical records, police reports, witness statements and whatever else we can locate that supports your argument and demonstrates your medical expenses.

For your lost wages, we’ll compile your work history, pay stubs and tax returns. If you’re self-employed, you’ll need to show bank statements, contracts, invoices and business financial documents. The court or insurer usually requests other documents that show a disruption to your work and how you tried to minimize losses by adjusting your operations. 

You’ll also need documentation from your doctor that proves your inability to work and for how long that will last. If permanent disabilities will cause lost earning potential, we get the doctor’s verification of that or seek out expert medical witnesses who can confirm the consequences of your injuries. 

Communication and Negotiation

If insurance is expected to cover these damages, we handle negotiations with the insurance companies on your behalf. Even when getting a payout from your own insurance company through personal injury protection in a car accident, adjusters typically try to give you as little as possible. 

The insurance representative might even try to dispute or deny your claim. Another trick they can use is giving you a confusing or leading line of questions that makes you admit fault or downplay how serious your injuries are. 

Also, your no-fault auto coverage only cares for 60% of your wages and earning capacity, as well as 80% of your medical expenses up to $10,000 combined. For anything beyond that, you need to file a claim with the other driver’s company. Expect them to do everything in their means to minimize your claim. 

We work with insurers regularly and understand the tactics they use to lower the value of claims. When you work with us, we communicate and negotiate with the insurers or defense team for you so you don’t have to worry about falling prey to any sneaky strategies.

Litigation (If Necessary)

We build such strong cases that our opposing parties decide to settle most personal injury claims. However, if a fair offer isn’t made, we are fully prepared to take your case to trial and fight for justice.

Our Team at Kogan & DiSalvo Can Help You Recover Medical Expenses and Lost Wages After an Accident

While getting compensation for your medical bills and lost wages may be your right, achieving that goal requires determined effort. Plus, it can be even more overwhelming as you’re dealing with your injuries.

Let us take the burden off you with experienced professional guidance. Contact our team at Kogan & DiSalvo for a free case evaluation and find out how we can assist.

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