Many accident victims are unable to work for some period of time because of their injuries, which often results in lost wages. Missing your paycheck only adds to the stress of an already difficult situation, and things may only get worse if you find yourself missing work for a substantial amount of time.
Thankfully, the party that caused your accident has financial responsibility for all your losses, including lost wages. This means that you can recover compensation to recoup the value of your lost wages.
Damages Available in Louisiana Personal Injury Claims
Accident victims in Louisiana are entitled to recover both economic damages and non-economic damages after an accident. Some common examples of damages available in Louisiana personal injury cases are:
- Medical bills and expenses
- Lost wages (current and future)
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of consortium
- PTSD
- Permanent scarring
- Depression
- Diminished quality of life
What Are Lost Wages?
They financial losses you incur when you are unable to work because of your injuries. More generically, these damages may be known as lost income because they may include lost wages, bonuses, commissions, independent contractor earnings, and self-employment income.
Calculating Lost Wages in Louisiana
Hourly Workers
Calculating the value of your lost wages when you earn hourly pay is fairly straightforward. Simply multiply your hourly rate by the number of hours of work you missed because of your injuries. For instance, if you earn $20 per hour and missed 40 hours of work, the value of your loss would be $800.
Salaried Employees
Determining a salaried employee’s lost wages is also fairly simple. First, divide the employee’s yearly salary by 2,080 to arrive at an hourly rate. Then, multiply that hourly rate by the number of hours of work that has been missed.
Self-Employment Income
For victims who are self-employed, calculating lost wages can be a little more complex because your income may not always be the same. Calculating your lost wages when you are self-employed usually requires using your net income from previous years, proven with tax returns, employment contracts, or other financial documentation.
Can I Still Recover Lost Wages if I’m Being Blamed for My Accident?
Yes, you may still be able to recover some of your lost wages even if you share part of the blame for your accident. As of January 1, 2026, Louisiana follows a modified comparative negligence rule. This means that you can still recover a portion of your lost wages as long as you are less than 51% at fault for your accident. Your recovery would simply be reduced by your portion of the fault.
Contact the Baton Rouge Personal Injury Lawyers at Mansfield Melancon Injury Lawyers for Help Today
Lost wage claims can become complicated fast, especially if you are self-employed, earn commissions, or expect long-term work limits. Insurance companies may also push back on missed time, reduced hours, or whether your injury truly kept you from working. Please contact Mansfield Melancon Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer in Baton Rouge, LA today.