Were you injured in an accident that was caused by another party’s negligence? Whether you’ve been harmed by an individual, a company, or a government entity, you have the right to seek monetary damages if they are at fault for your injuries. The legal process begins with an accident claim, which may be handled by State Farm based on their size and reputation as an insurance provider. Regardless of where you with your claim, it can be overwhelming to figure out what you are entitled to as an accident victim. For example, you may be in need of information on the following question:
Does State Farm have to pay for your lost wages if I miss work after an accident?
Most accident victims require some form of medical treatment after an injury, followed by a recovery period and on-going treatments for weeks or months. As a result, they end up with missed time off at work, which can be significant based on your recovery needs. Compensation is available for your lost wages from State Farm, but they may not make it easy for you to access these benefits. We can help with our many years of experience in accident injury claims. To learn more about the legal options that are available to you, contact us right away for a free evaluation of your case.
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Am I Entitled to Lost Wages after an Accident?
If the physical and/or emotional injuries from your accident forced you to lose time from work, you have the right to reimbursement of lost wages from State Farm. They know this, but they will put considerable effort into convincing you otherwise. We’ve heard it all when it comes to the excuses that insurance adjusters make. That’s why it’s essential to retain an attorney who can deal with the company on your behalf. Please give us a call to learn how we can fight for you and recover every penny of the damages you are entitled to.
What Documentation do I have to Show to get Lost Wages Compensation from State Farm?
There are times when a lost wages claim is legitimately denied due to insufficient evidence. In this section, we will talk about the documents you will need to establish a strong case for lost income due to your recovery needs after an accident. As a general rule, we recommend that you gather the following documentation:
- Medical records to show the effects of your injuries and how they kept you out of work.
- Proof of wages – normally pay stubs, but a letter from your employer can also be used.
- Prior year tax returns
- Tax forms – typically a W2
Expert testimony may be necessary if you are seeking future lost wages or loss of earning potential due to a serious injury, like nerve damage or traumatic brain injury. If you can’t go back to work at all or you are forced to work part-time / take a lower paying job, you will lose out on job-related income for the rest of your life. Experts like medical specialists and economists can offer testimony to help you secure these benefits and ensure that you have a steady income stream up until the point of retirement.
Reimbursement for Paid Time off through Your Employer
Most accident victims end up taking time off from work after an accident. If you are fortunate enough to have PTO (paid time off) from your employer, you may have used these benefits to help you stay afloat. While we commonly use the term “lost wages,” an insurance claim through State Farm should compensate you for any job-related income that you lost while recovering from your accident. However, insurance adjusters will try to convince claimants that they’ve been paid to miss work, so there is no loss of income that has to be reimbursed.
Don’t fall for this trick, as taking PTO should be a choice. It should not be something you are forced to do as a result of another individual or company’s negligence. In essence, the other party took these benefits away from you, and as a result, you deserve to be compensated for any personal days you were forced to use due to your medical needs. Our lawyers are here to assist you if you are struggling to get reimbursed for paid time off from State Farm.
Lost Wages Claims for Self-Employed Individuals
Proving a case for lost wages can be challenging for independent contractors, since they don’t earn a consistent rate or salary. But there are plenty of documents that can establish the income you’ve lost after an accident. These include, but are not limited to:
- Statements from bank accounts and/or online payment systems
- Tax forms, usually 1099s
- Federal and state income tax returns
- Contracts and invoices to establish earnings before the accident
- Emails, texts, etc., to show cancellations / missed work opportunities after your accident.
With these cases, it’s important to collect as much evidence as possible, and the available documentation varies from client to client. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t worry. We can help you achieve success in a lost wages claim, no matter what line of work you are in.
Why is State Farm Refusing to Pay for my Lost Wages?
You’ve done everything State Farm asked you to, and yet, you are left with a claim denial for the funds you desperately need. Why is this happening? The most likely answer is greed, which is not unusual with profit-based companies. Insurance companies sell themselves as advocates for injury victims, but their main goal is to save themselves as much money as possible. Naturally, they do this by denying your claim or manipulating you out of the full value of your losses.
If you’ve hit a brick wall in the claims process with State Farm, you may be wondering, “Am I stuck with what they’re offering me? What are my rights?”
Can I Sue State Farm for Refusing to Pay for my Lost Wages?
It may be possible to sue State Farm if they are acting in bad faith, meaning they are deliberately trying to hold up your claim or deny you payment. There are many tactics they can use to do this, which can cause a claimant to give up on their right to compensation or agree to a lowball offer. Examples of insurance bad faith include stall tactics, manipulative language, threats or harassment, and making unreasonable demands for evidence / paperwork. But remember – these actions have to be committed with the intent to deprive you of payment or the full value of your payment. That’s the hardest part to prove with these cases, and you will certainly need an experienced lawyer if you plan on filing a bad faith insurance lawsuit.
In our experience, these lawsuits are not necessary in most cases, especially if you’re working with an attorney right from the start. Insurance adjusters are smart enough to know what they can get away with, and their tricks won’t work on us. In addition, there may be alternative actions we can take to resolve your issue with State Farm. However, if a lawsuit is the best option to bring you justice, our lawyers are more than ready for the challenge.
Free Second Opinion on Active State Farm Accident Claims
Do you have a pending injury claim with State Farm that doesn’t seem to be going anywhere? Are you frustrated with your attorney’s lack of communication or feel uncertain about the advice they’re giving you? We are happy to advise you on all your concerns during a free second opinion consultation. During this one-on-one meeting with one of our attorneys, you can ask any question that’s on your mind, such as:
- I think my claim is worth more than what my lawyer is telling me. What is the average value of an injury case for my type of accident?
- My case is taking forever to settle! How long does it take to get paid on these cases?
- I’m confused about how much time I have to file a lawsuit. What is the statute of limitations on my case?
- Is switching my lawyer the best option, even if I have an active claim?
Changing your lawyer is completely up to you, but you should make an informed choice after speaking with a legal expert on the pros and cons of switching counsel in the middle of a case. That’s exactly what we can do for you here at Normandie, so please reach out to us for a free second opinion.
Speak to a Lawyer Experienced in State Farm Accident Claims
An insurance claim against the party that has wronged you should be a simple process, but that’s only if the insurance company cooperates with you. Unfortunately, State Farm is far more interested in profits than they are in helping accident victims. However, a fair and balanced settlement is possible when you have an experienced lawyer by your side.
Our attorneys have the skill and experience you need to go up against an insurance company and recover lost wages, medical expenses, mental anguish, and anything else you deserve for your harm and suffering. We also have a Zero fee guarantee that makes all our services free to you from day one. We recover our fees at the end of your case, and that’s only if we succeed in recovering your settlement. If we don’t win your case, you walk away without paying us a cent.
If you’re ready to explore your rights and legal options, contact Normandie Law Firm and schedule a free consultation.
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