Detailed Answer
When an injury or illness keeps you from working, you may be entitled to recover lost wages under Utah law. To support a lost-wage claim—whether through workers’ compensation or a personal injury case—you must provide objective proof of your earnings and the period you were unable to work. Gathering complete, accurate records helps insurers and courts calculate your benefits or damages.
1. Records for Employees
- Pay stubs: Provide pay stubs covering at least six months before and after your injury. These verify your regular gross and net earnings.
- W-2 forms: Submit W-2s for the past two to three years to establish your average annual income.
- Tax returns: Include federal returns (Form 1040) and relevant schedules to confirm year-to-date and prior-year earnings.
- Employer certification: A signed letter on company letterhead confirming your hire date, hourly rate or salary, typical hours worked, and period of disability.
- Time sheets or clock-in records: Detail the exact hours you worked before and after the injury.
- Bank or payroll deposit records: Show direct deposits matching your pay stubs.
2. Records for Self-Employed and Contract Workers
- Profit and loss statements: Monthly or quarterly statements demonstrating income fluctuations.
- 1099 forms: Issued by clients or vendors documenting payments to you.
- Invoices and contracts: Bills you issued and signed agreements showing expected earnings.
- Business bank statements: Demonstrate deposits matching your invoiced amounts.
- Tax returns and schedules: Especially Schedule C (sole proprietorship) or K-1 (partnership) to verify net self-employment earnings.
3. Medical and Disability Documentation
- Physician’s notes and work-restriction forms: Clearly state when you could not perform your job duties.
- Treatment records: Dates of doctor visits, surgeries, therapy sessions—showing periods of inability to work.
- Disability benefit forms: Completed by your doctor if you applied for short-term or long-term disability.
Under Utah Code Ann. §34A-2-403 (Notice of injury and claim) and §34A-2-407 (Temporary disability benefits), you must submit proof of earnings and medical disability to secure workers’ compensation benefits. In personal injury claims, similar records establish economic damages when seeking lost-wage recovery from an at-fault party.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information and is not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney to address your specific situation.
Helpful Hints
- Keep digital and paper copies of every document you submit.
- Request pay stubs and employment letters in writing from your HR department.
- Organize records chronologically in a single folder or binder.
- Follow up promptly on any insurer requests for additional information.
- Track your medical appointments and keep proof of travel expenses.
- Consult an attorney early to ensure you meet all filing deadlines under Utah law.