What tips should I keep in mind?

Keep pay stubs, W-2s, and tax returns to document your earnings history. Include all forms of compensation: bonuses, commissions, tips, and benefits. Overtime history is typically documented by averaging the prior 12-52 weeks.

Lost Wages Calculator

Calculate total lost wages from a workplace injury, disability, or accident including base pay, overtime, benefits, and future earning capacity.

Hourly Pay Rate ($)(Your regular hourly wage)

Hours Per Week(Regular weekly hours)

Typical Overtime Hours/Week(Average overtime hours you normally work)

Weeks of Work Missed(Total weeks unable to work)

Benefits Value (% of base pay)(Health insurance, retirement, etc. (typically 20-30%))

Years of Future Earning Reduction(For permanent impairment -- leave 0 if temporary)

Future Earning Reduction (%)(Percentage your earning capacity is reduced)

Results

Visualization

How It Works

Lost wages claims compensate injured workers for income they would have earned but for the injury. This includes base pay, overtime, benefits value, and -- for permanent injuries -- future reduced earning capacity. Courts use employment records and expert testimony to verify these amounts.

The Formula

Total Lost Wages = (Weekly Pay x Weeks Missed) + (Benefits Value x Weeks) + (Annual Earnings x Reduction % x Future Years)

Variables

Weekly Pay — Base pay plus typical overtime at 1.5x rate
Benefits Value — Employer-provided benefits as percentage of base pay
Future Loss — Reduced earning capacity over remaining work life

Example

At $30/hr, 40 hrs/week + 5 hrs OT, missing 8 weeks: Base = $1,200/wk, OT = $225/wk, Total weekly = $1,425. Past lost wages = $11,400. With 25% benefits = $13,800 total past losses.

Tips

Keep pay stubs, W-2s, and tax returns to document your earnings history.
Include all forms of compensation: bonuses, commissions, tips, and benefits.
Overtime history is typically documented by averaging the prior 12-52 weeks.
Self-employed individuals should use tax returns and business records.
Future lost earnings may require an economist or vocational expert as witness.