Let a Skilled Crestview Personal Injury Lawyer Help You
If you have been injured in an accident due to the fault of another party, then Florida law may entitle you to damages as compensation. Comprehensive damage claims may involve several different “sub-categories” of damages, including wage loss and the loss of future earning capacity.
Crafting a well-supported claim for damages is critical to a successful recovery. Let’s take a closer look.
Main Damage Categories
There are three main damage categories:
- Economic damages
- Noneconomic damages
- Punitive damages
Economic damages concern the financial losses that were sustained by the plaintiff and may include wage loss damages, property damages, medical expenses, and more. Noneconomic damages concern other losses (that are not directly tied to financial loss). They may include pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment, and more.
By contrast, punitive damages are “bonus” damages that are only rarely awarded, and only at the discretion of the court. Punitive damages are awarded to punish defendants who have engaged in particularly egregious misconduct and to discourage others from doing the same.
Wage Loss and Earning Capacity Basics
Wage loss may be split into two subcategories: a) past wage loss and b) future wage loss.
Past wage loss can be supported by documentary evidence (i.e., pay stubs, a record of work absences, etc.) showing that you have had to take time off due to your injuries. Future wage loss is somewhat more difficult to prove, as you will have to show that you are going to have to take time off in the future due to your injuries — you will generally want to introduce the testimony of your doctor (and potentially your work colleagues/supervisors) to support this claim.
The loss of future earning capacity is an important part of a comprehensive damage claim in an accident where you suffered life-changing injuries. It can be a difficult claim to make, however, as you will have to show that your injuries are such that you can no longer work in your previous job/career and have had to either reduce your hours/responsibilities or shift to an entirely new job (that may involve lower pay).
To show that your ability to pursue a career path has been impacted, you will want to introduce expert testimony by career professionals and doctors who can evaluate your injuries and your ability to perform the responsibilities of your previous career. They will also be able to evaluate your future salary expectations, which is critical to calculating your loss of future earning capacity.
A Fort Walton Car Accident Lawyer Is Ready to Assist
Powell Law Firm is a client-centered Florida-based personal injury firm founded nearly seven decades ago. We regularly advocate on behalf of plaintiffs throughout the state of Florida in personal injury disputes — helping clients recover from car accidents to product liability disputes and beyond.
Our attorneys are fierce and relentless litigators, who approach every case as though it will end up in trial court. This trial-ready approach helps put us at an advantage against the defendant. In many cases, this trial-ready approach gives us the leverage we need to resolve the dispute early, and on favorable terms.
If you would like to speak to an experienced Fort Walton car accident lawyer at our firm, then call us at 850-682-2757 or send us a message online to schedule a free and confidential consultation today.