Lost wages are a recoverable economic damage in every Georgia accident case — but documenting them correctly is essential to maximize recovery and defeat insurer challenges. Here is what you need to know about claiming lost income after a Georgia accident.
What Lost Wages Include
Georgia law allows recovery of all income you were unable to earn because of accident-related injuries:
- Hourly wages and salary during missed work days
- Overtime you were prevented from working
- Bonuses and commissions you would have earned
- Self-employment income (with appropriate documentation)
- Sick leave and vacation time you were forced to use for recovery
- Future lost earnings if your injuries permanently affect your ability to work
How to Document Lost Wages for Your Claim
The insurer will require documentation before paying lost wage claims. Standard documentation includes:
- Employer verification letter — Written confirmation of your employment, hourly rate or salary, and the dates you missed work
- Pay stubs — Recent pay stubs showing your typical earnings and any pay period that reflects missed time
- Tax returns — For self-employed claimants, the most recent 2–3 years of tax returns establish average annual income
- Physician work restrictions — Medical records documenting that your physician restricted you from work during the recovery period
Self-Employment and Variable Income Claims
Self-employed accident victims face additional scrutiny. Insurers often challenge self-employment income claims as speculative. Your attorney will typically engage a forensic accountant or vocational expert to establish your pre-accident earnings baseline and calculate the actual income loss during recovery — particularly for cases involving business owners, independent contractors, and gig workers.
Lost Earning Capacity: Beyond Missed Paychecks
If your injuries permanently impair your ability to perform your prior occupation or earn at your pre-accident income level, lost earning capacity extends your economic damages claim into the future. A vocational rehabilitation expert calculates the difference between what you would have earned over your working life and what you can now earn given your limitations. This figure can represent the largest single component of damages in serious injury cases.
The Two-Year Statute Applies
Lost wage and earning capacity claims are part of your personal injury claim and subject to the two-year statute of limitations under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33. Document your wage loss starting on day one of missed work.
A free Georgia accident claim evaluation includes a complete assessment of your lost income damages. Call today.