Can I Recover Lost Wages from Nationwide after an Accident?

The financial burden of having to miss work after an accident is incredibly stressful for injury victims. However, the law entitles you to compensation if you were harmed by another party’s negligence. If the responsible individual or entity is insured by Nationwide, you have the right to seek monetary damages through an insurance claim. Clearly, you can ask for the cost of medical treatments and any damage to your personal belongings (your car, for example), but what about the wages you’ve lost from missed time off at work?

If you were forced to miss these hours or days due to your recovery needs, you can demand reimbursement through an injury claim with Nationwide. Sadly, this is easier said than done for most claimants, who are often cheated out of the payment they deserve. Normandie Law Firm is here for you if you’re struggling to obtain lost wages or any other form of compensation from an accident claim with Nationwide Insurance. Contact us and schedule a free case evaluation with one of our attorneys.

Does Nationwide have Pay for Your Lost Wages if I Miss Work after an Accident?

Yes, you can ask for compensation if medical issues, including emotional trauma, have caused you to lose time from work. But don’t be surprised if you’re told the opposite by an insurance adjuster from Nationwide. In spite of what the commercials tell you, Nationwide is not on your side if you are seeking damages through an accident claim. These agents are specially trained to minimize your payment as much as possible. Their tactics work on many victims, who are desperate to recover their losses. However, it’s essential to receive every penny of the funds you are owed, and that includes the income you have lost due to the effects of an accident.

We know the strategies that are used by these companies, and we will not back down in our fight to obtain your settlement. For effective representation from an experienced injury lawyer, contact our office as soon as possible.

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What Documentation do I have to Show to get Lost Wages Compensation from Nationwide?

As with any legal case, evidence is the key to success, and there are various documents you can use to prove a case for lost wages. Some of these documents will show the extent of your injuries after the accident, which are directly linked to why you were forced to take time off from work. Other forms of proof will establish the wages you are earning, which will justify the amount of lost wages you are claiming. These documents generally include the following:

• Pay stubs (or a letter from your employer to verify your wages)
• Medical records
• Statement from a medical expert, if necessary
• Tax forms such as a W2 or 1099
• Federal and state income tax returns

If your injuries are serious enough, you may be out of work for an extended period of time, which may entitle you to future lost earnings. You may also be compromised in your ability to perform your job duties and be forced to reduce your hours or find a lower paying job. If so, you will need an experienced lawyer on your side that can fight for loss of earning capacity. Don’t worry if all this is confusing to you; our legal experts can explain your rights and legal options during a free consultation.

Can I ask to be Reimbursed for Sick Days and Vacation Time?

Many people are forced to use paid time off (PTO) after an accident to supplement their income while they’re out of work. You can ask to be reimbursed for this time, but this is another issue where you may run into problems with Nationwide. Essentially, the insurer may try to argue that you didn’t lose anything, since your employer paid you for these hours / days.

However, these are benefits you receive on top of your salary, and they’re meant to be used at your discretion. Now that you’ve been forced to use this time, what will happen if you have an illness or some other emergency in the future? This is an economic loss that you’ve experienced due to someone else’s negligence. Thus, you deserve compensation for these days from Nationwide.

Do not be discouraged if the insurance adjuster handling your case refuses to budge on this issue. Your best line of defense is an experienced personal injury attorney, who knows the insurance laws inside and out. The lawyers of Normandie can recover your lost wages, along with any other payments you’re entitled to.

Can I get Lost Wages after an Accident if I’m Self-Employed?

Self-employed workers don’t earn a regular salary, which makes it a bit more challenging to prove a case for lost wages. But you are certainly eligible to receive any income you’ve lost as a result of an accident that was caused by another party. So, what documents do you need to show Nationwide to prove a case of lost wages as an independent contractor?

Tax forms such as 1099s are one of the best documents to use, along with tax returns from the previous year. Bank statements are helpful as well, or statements from payment apps like PayPal. Earnings can also be established through invoices and contracts. These are the most basic examples, but other forms of evidence may be available in your situation, which we are happy to discuss with you during a one-on-one meeting.

Nationwide won’t Pay me for Lost Wages. What are my Rights?

“I’ve done everything they asked me to do. Why is Nationwide refusing to pay for my lost wages?”

We get this question quite frequently from injury victims, and unfortunately, this is not uncommon when you’re dealing with a profit-based entity. Nationwide markets itself as a company that’s looking out for you in the event of an accident, but their ultimate goal is to save themselves as much money as possible. They know that people are emotionally vulnerable after an accident, and they’re more likely to agree to a settlement instead of fighting for the full value of their losses.

Of course, there are enough clients out there who are willing to fight, and many of them call us to ask, “Can I sue Nationwide for refusing to pay for my lost wages?”

A lawsuit is possible if the insurance company is clearly acting in bad faith to avoid paying a claim. Bad faith insurance tactics that are grounds for a lawsuit include:

• Using stall tactics to delay a payment
• Misrepresenting the policy terms in order to mislead a claimant
• Failing to conclude an investigation in a timely manner
• Consistently lowballing a settlement below what is reasonable
• Holding up the claims process with unreasonable demands for documents and paperwork

This is not a comprehensive list, so please speak with an insurance bad faith lawyer at our office for a detailed explanation of your legal rights. However, we want to stress that a lawsuit is unnecessary in most cases – as long you are working with an experienced attorney. Our lawyers have decades of going up against insurance companies like Nationwide and know what it takes to recover your payment as efficiently as possible. Please take some time to give us a call and learn how we can assist you in an accident claim with Nationwide.

Second Opinion on Existing Claims with Nationwide

It’s not unusual to have doubts about your lawyer’s abilities, especially if there’s little to no progress with your claim. Sometimes, these delays are inevitable, but it can also be signs of incompetence or lack of attention by your attorney. The legal experts of Normandie can help you figure out what’s going on with your case during a second opinion consultation. Based on their advice, you can choose the best course of action, which may include switching your lawyer and continuing your claim with us. Regardless of what you decide, there is no fee for a second opinion with our attorneys. If you are having any issues with your existing claim against Nationwide, don’t hesitate to give us a call.

Free Legal Representation for Accident Victims

The price of recovering from an accident can be staggering, and most people are afraid to reach out to an attorney due to the cost of legal representation. We believe that victims of an accident are entitled to free legal services, which is why we offer a Zero fee guarantee. Under this policy, you pay us nothing for the entire duration of your case. Our fees are covered by the party that’s responsible for your accident, and the only way we get paid is if you get paid. In short, there is no risk to your finances when you choose our law firm. Contact us today and let us fight for the damages you are owed from Nationwide Insurance.