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Detailed Answer

After a car accident in Rhode Island, you can seek compensation for lost wages under your personal injury claim. Rhode Island law allows you to recover “compensatory damages” for earnings you would have received but for the injury (R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-30).

1. Establish Your Employment Status

Start by confirming your work schedule and pay rate. For a part-time job, collect offer letters, employee handbooks, or contracts that state your hourly rate and typical hours per week. This baseline shows your pre-accident earnings capacity.

2. Gather Pay Records

Compile pay stubs, direct deposit statements, W-2 forms, or 1099s if you are an independent contractor. Highlight the periods you missed work due to your injuries. If you lack pay stubs, your employer can provide a payroll printout or letter on company letterhead.

3. Obtain an Employer Declaration

Ask your supervisor or HR representative to sign a sworn declaration stating:

• Your regular hours and pay rate before the accident.
• Exact dates and hours you missed due to injury.
• Whether lost shifts remained unpaid.

4. Use Tax Documents for Corroboration

Tax filings (Form 1040 schedules, state tax returns) can back up your pre-accident income. If your part-time job is seasonal, these documents clarify annual earning patterns, preventing the insurer from arguing that missed wages fell outside your normal work cycle.

5. Create a Lost Wages Calculation Spreadsheet

List each missed shift, hourly rate, and total lost amount. Show how the numbers add up to your total wage loss. Presenting a clear, itemized chart makes your claim more persuasive.

6. Consider Expert or Vocational Witnesses

If your case is complex or your hours varied significantly, a vocational expert can assess your earning capacity. Their opinion carries weight in court or settlement negotiations.

7. Submit Your Claim Promptly

Rhode Island’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is three years from the accident date (R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-14). File within this period to preserve your right to recover lost wages.

Helpful Hints

• Keep a daily journal of your injury symptoms and work restrictions.
• Photograph or scan all payroll documents immediately; paper fades or gets lost.
• Notify your employer in writing about your accident and inability to work.
• Request written confirmation if you use sick or vacation time in lieu of unpaid leave.
• Retain any communications with insurance adjusters regarding your wage loss.