Category Archives: Indiana Personal Injury Law

Facts About Lost Wages in a Personal Injury Claim

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There are many types of damages and losses a personal injury victim can incur as a result of their accident and subsequent injuries. But one of the most common types of losses experienced by accident survivors is lost wages. When a person is seriously injured, they often lose time at work due to frequent hospital or doctors’ visits, or miss work entirely because they are unable to perform their work duties. Without a steady paycheck, accident victims then go on to suffer other types of financial losses, such as house bills and car payments.

For this reason and more, it is important for wrongfully injured victims to recover the full and fair compensation they rightfully deserve, including damages for lost wages. A personal injury lawyer can help you obtain the maximum settlement or verdict for your accident claim if you lost past, current, or future earnings as a result of another’s negligence.  

Continue below to learn more about lost wages, including how to prove them in a personal injury case and where to find skilled personal injury representation near you.

Indianapolis IN Personal Injury Law Firm 317-881-2700
Indianapolis IN Personal Injury Law Firm 317-881-2700

Recovery After an Accident

Because injuries vary so greatly, so does the spectrum of recovery times. One person might recover within a few weeks, and able to return to work while they finish healing, while another person might spend years in recovery. Some personal injury victims never fully recover and lose their ability to work altogether. In all cases and scenarios, wrongfully injured victims deserve to be compensated for their lost income, as well as a wide range of additional damages, such as medical expenses, hospital bills, pain and suffering, mental and emotional anguish, permanent or partial disability, and much more as it pertains to the case.

Types of Lost Wages and Proving Them

There are various types of earnings a personal injury victim can lose out on, whether the victim is the actual injured person or a spouse or family member. The most common types of lost wages awarded in personal injury cases include hourly wages, overtime, sick leave, vacation days, bonuses, company perks, and benefits (i.e. insurance, social security, pension, etc.).

With so many kinds of wages paid to injured workers, it is necessary to prove such incomes with concrete evidence. The most common pieces of evidence used to prove a victim’s lost wages include pay stubs, tax documents, W2’s, a letter from the employer verifying a worker’s wages, a doctor’s note stating an employee cannot work, medical records, expert testimony, and basic data about their work schedule and weekly hours. If a victim is self-employed, their business’s banking records would be presented.

Future Lost Wages

Not only can personal injury victims possibly collect compensation for past and current lost wages, but they may also qualify to collect compensation for future lost earnings as well. This type of personal injury claim is referred to as a loss of potential to earn, and is often awarded in personal injury cases when a victim’s injuries are sustaining, rendering them unable to work for the foreseeable future. They are compensated for all projected future earnings, including pay raises, promotions, bonuses, overtime, and benefits.

Do you want to learn your eligibility for collecting compensation for lost wages after being wrongfully injured in an accident? Contact the accident attorneys at Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to schedule a free case evaluation with a seasoned personal injury lawyer in Indianapolis, Indiana.

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Can I Recover Compensation for Lost Wages After My Personal Injury Accident?
How to Recover Lost Wages After Suffering a Personal Injury in Indiana
Will I Be Compensated for PTO and Sick Days in My Personal Injury Claim?

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700
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How the Law Holds Property Owners Accountable for Negligence

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Premise Liability Law is a set of ordinances that hold property owners liable and responsible for any harm or damages caused to people that are on their premises. This liability differs depending on whether the injured person was invited onto the property, licensed to enter the property, or someone who has trespassed onto the property. Continue reading to learn more about premise liability law, and how it protects you against being wrongfully injured by a negligent store or property owner.

Indianapolis IN Accident Lawyers
Indianapolis IN Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

What is Considered One’s Premises?

Property premise is defined as inside and outside the property, including sidewalks and access property. Such cases of premise liability have involved slip and fall accidents, structural hazards, victims of violence and assault, food poisoning, animal bites and attacks, and more.  More detailed reports of past premise liability cases were dead tree branches, poorly maintained public stores, swimming pool accidents, pet bites and animal attacks, driveway car accidents, unlevelled sidewalks, restaurant food poisoning, and bonfire accidents.    

Premise Liability Organizations

Important organizations related to premise liability law in Indianapolis, IN are the American Tort Reform Association (ATRA), the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), and the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC).  These associations have dedicated years of combined efforts to reform the law and rights of injured individuals.  The American Tort Reform Association was created in 1986.  The Association’s creed is preserving the American civil justice system’s efficiency, predictability, and fairness. 

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners seems like an unlikely ally in the premise liability law world.  But, in fact, this association has worked endlessly to promote markets, protect the public’s interest, implement equal and fair service of insurance customers, promote reliability of insurance companies, and the improve the state’s regulation of insurance.  Finally, the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control was established 20 years ago to promote safety and injury prevention across the country and works closely with research institutions to get closer to their goals. 

Talk to an Experienced Premise Liability Lawyer

If you think you may have been involved in a premise liability accident, it is important to contact an experienced personal injury attorney right away.  Depending on the circumstance of your case, you may have a valid legal claim for compensation.  You can pursue a personal injury claim to recover financial restitution for lost wages, emotional distress, hospital bills, medical expenses, legal fees, prolonged therapy, pain, suffering, and much more. 

Were you injured on someone’s property because they were careless? Contact the accident attorneys at Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to schedule a free consultation with a seasoned personal injury attorney in Indianapolis, Indiana. We also specialize in slip and fall accident cases.

You Should Also Read:

A Store’s Obligation to Maintain Safe Premises
What is Premise Liability?
How Do I Sue a Store for My Injuries?

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700
Schedule a Free Consultation!

Discussing Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

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In the past weeks, we have discussed several facets of personal medical insurance coverage and liabilities, including medical payments coverage, personal umbrella policies, and personal injury protection. We mentioned that Indiana is a tort state, so additional insurance policies like the aforesaid are not mandatory by law. Nonetheless, they are wise insurance policies to purchase. Continue reading to learn more about personal injury protection (PIP) and how it relates to auto accident insurance coverage.

Call 317-881-2700 to Speak With a Personal Injury Lawyer in Indianapolis Indiana
Call 317-881-2700 to Speak With a Personal Injury Lawyer in Indianapolis Indiana

PIP Insurance Coverage

Personal injury protection insurance is a type of medical payments coverage for drivers and passengers who are injured in a motor vehicle accident. Under this policy, all or a portion of medical expenses and hospital bills (driver and passengers) are paid for no matter who is to blame for an auto accident. No-fault accident states require this type of insurance coverage, but Indiana is not a no-fault state, it is a tort state. For this reason, Hoosiers are not obligated by law to obtain PIP coverage to legally operate a vehicle.

Although most Indiana car insurance policies have a degree of medical expense coverage, and some medical insurance policies cover auto accident injuries, many drivers can benefit from additional coverage by purchasing a PIP plan. If medical expenses exceed insurance coverage limits, a person must pay out-of-pocket for the remaining bill. With a PIP plan, these superlative expenses are covered for both the driver and their passengers.

Conclusion

PIP plans can vary in deductibles, pay limits, and coverage. Depending on the state you live in and the type of coverage you choose, your policies details may vary from another’s. Personal injury protection insurance can cover medical and hospital bills, disability benefits, lost wages, and in some cases, even death benefits. Call your medical insurance carrier to inquire more about PIP coverage options in your state.

Injured in an Auto Accident?

If you were recently injured in a motor vehicle accident that was no fault of your own, contact a car accident attorney for information about your legal rights. You may be entitled to certain compensation for your damages and losses.

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 for information about car accident injury claims in Indianapolis, Indiana. Personal injury attorneys Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek are happy to answer your questions about filing a car accident injury claim in Indiana. We offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless we prevail for you.