Lost Wages Calculator
Calculate lost income for a personal injury, workers comp, or disability claim. Includes current wages, future earning capacity, and fringe benefits in one comprehensive lost wages estimate.
Formula & Reference
| Variable | Formula | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Lost Wages Calculator | Lost Wages = Daily Rate x Days Missed | $ damages |
Step-by-Step Examples
$25/hr, 40 hrs/wk, 45 days missed.
- Daily rate = $25 x 40 / 5 = $200/day
- Lost wages = $200 x 45 = $9,000
- Benefits not included here (add 30% = $11,700 total)
$800/day rate, 30 days missed.
- Lost = $800 x 30 = $24,000
- Self-employed must document income with tax returns and contracts
- Future lost client relationships may add more
$60,000/year salary, 3 months future capacity loss.
- Daily rate = $60,000/260 = $230.77
- Future loss = $230.77 x 66 days = $15,231
- Long-term impairment may require vocational expert
Real-World Applications
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Lost wages must be proven with evidence: pay stubs, W-2s, employer letters, or tax returns for self-employed. Undocumented income claims are heavily discounted by insurers.
Benefits (health insurance, 401k, PTO) are also economic damages. They typically add 20-35% to the wages figure. Get employer documentation of your benefits package value.
Self-employed individuals must show lost business profits, not just gross revenue. Lost opportunity costs (clients lost during injury) are harder to prove and may require expert testimony.