Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
Detailed Answer
After a car accident in Connecticut, you may recover compensation for lost wages through an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit. To prove lost earnings from your part-time job, follow these steps:
- Gather Pay Records: Collect pay stubs, W-2s or 1099s showing your hourly rate and hours worked. These documents establish your average earnings.
- Obtain Employer Verification: Ask your employer for a signed letter or affidavit confirming your job title, hourly wage, typical schedule and the dates you could not work due to crash-related injuries.
- Document Missed Shifts: Use time cards, scheduling software or a personal calendar to note each shift and the number of hours you lost.
- Include Medical Documentation: Attach doctor’s notes, therapy records and any medical restrictions demonstrating that your injuries prevented you from working.
- Use Tax Records if Needed: If your hours vary, your federal tax returns (Schedule C or wage statements) help calculate an average weekly wage.
- Consider Expert Analysis: A vocational specialist can prepare a lost-wage report if your case involves irregular income or future wage loss.
Once you assemble these records, submit them to the at-fault party’s insurer to support your demand for reimbursement. If negotiations fail, you must file a lawsuit within Connecticut’s two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-584).
Helpful Hints
- Track overtime separately; it counts if you regularly worked extra hours before your injury.
- Mitigate losses by seeking light-duty or alternative work and keep records of your job search efforts.
- Keep a daily journal of symptoms and how they affected your ability to work.
- Send all letters to insurers via certified mail to establish proof of delivery.
- Consult a personal injury attorney early to verify deadlines and strengthen your evidence.