Summary
In this episode, Zinda Law Group CEO and founder, Jack Zinda talks about how to account for lost wages in your personal injury case
Discussed in this Episode:
- Loss of earning capacity
- Accurately interview your client
- What limitations were caused by the injury?
- What is the duration and worth of the harm?
- The loss of earning capacity worksheet
Loss of Earning Capacity
Though commonly referred to as “lost wages”, loss of earning capacity is more than just being unable to work while disabled. If you’re well-educated on this subject, there are many other ways to claim loss of earning capacity.
Accurately Interview Your Client
Loss of earning capacity means more than just your current job. When interviewing your client, ask about school, further education or other ways that the client intended to increase their earning potential. If they no longer have the means, capability to work in that field, or are delayed, there may be an additional dollar amount associated. In addition to future earning capacity, don’t forget about simple things like overtime. Even if they received PTO during their injury, they are still able to retrieve lost earnings.
What Limitations Were Caused by the Injury?
It’s not just about manual labor when it comes to limitations at work due to an injury. Many people work with computers in office settings and something as small as an inability to type will qualify.
What is the Duration and Worth of the Harm?
This is where age can play a large factor in how much a defendant can be liable for. This may be the time to talk with an economist and a vocational rehab expert to help get the initial figures.
The Loss of Earning Capacity Worksheet
This is where you start compiling numbers and putting together a final number. Other things to look for when calculating include: quarterly or yearly bonuses, tax returns, other work amenities like insurance and retirement funds. This is also the time you’ll want to compile physical evidence like W-2 forms, tax documents, a lost wages verification form, an employer statement and a doctor’s note.
You can reach Jack at:
512-246-2224
What is The Effective Lawyer?
The Effective Lawyer teaches ambitious trial lawyers how to grow their skills and create a prosperous law firm. Using lessons learned by accomplished attorneys from around the country, we discuss lessons learned through their trials and tribulations. Our discussions cover a vast range of topics sought out by attorneys looking for advice, from depositions to how to market your law firm.
The show is hosted by Jack Zinda, Founder and Senior Trial Lawyer at Zinda Law Group. In less than 15 years, Jack and his team have grown Zinda Law Group from 3 attorneys to over 30, spanning several states and handling a variety of personal injury cases from gas explosions to truck accidents.
Jack and his guests share their knowledge and skills that they’ve acquired through the process of building one of the most successful plaintiff’s law firms in the country.
In each show we cover a new topic that an ambitious attorney would want to better understand, while providing practical skills to improve their legal practice.
For more information, visit https://www.zdfirm.com/the-effective-lawyer