Many accident victims are unable to work for some period of time because of their injuries. 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. Keep reading below to learn how to calculate the value of your lost wages after an accident in Louisiana.
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. This allows you to get compensation for both your financial losses as well as your physical and emotional pain.
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
Calculating the value of all your losses can be somewhat complex, and you might need help from financial experts. Otherwise, you might undervalue your claim and could end up leaving money on the table.
What Are Lost Wages?
Lost wages are the financial losses you incur when you are unable to work because of your injuries. Imagine you are injured in a car accident and unable to work for six weeks. During this time, your employer would not pay you, as you would not be working.
More generically, these damages may be known as lost income because they may include:
- Lost wages
- Bonuses
- Commissions
- Independent contractor earnings
- Self-employment income
Calculating the value of your lost wages can depend on the type of income that you have lost. Keep reading below to learn more.
Calculating Lost Wages in Louisiana
In order to put an accurate value on your claim, you will need to calculate the value of your lost wages.
The process for this is:
Hourly Workers
Calculating the value of your lost wages when you earn hourly wages 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 lost wages 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. This is because your income may not always be the same and may fluctuate based on the time of year or other factors.
Calculating your lost wages when you are self-employed usually requires using your net income from previous years. This can be 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. For instance, imagine that you suffered $10,000 in lost wages but were found to be 30% responsible for your accident. You would only be able to recover 70% of your total lost wages, or $7,000.
Since these calculations can sometimes be complicated, you should always seek help from an experienced personal injury lawyer who can help ensure you are getting the maximum compensation you are owed.
Contact the Baton Rouge Personal Injury Lawyers at Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal 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.
For more information, please contact Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with a personal Injury lawyer in Baton Rouge, LA today. We have three convenient locations in Louisiana, including Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Metairie, and Lafayette.
We proudly serve East Baton Rouge Parish, Lafayette Parish, Orleans Parish, Jefferson Parish, and its surrounding areas:
Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers – Baton Rouge Office
404 Europe St, Baton Rouge, LA 70802
(225) 263-4787
Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers – Lafayette Office
1318 Camellia Blvd Suite 206, Lafayette, LA 70508
(337) 473-2991
Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers – Metairie Office
111 Veterans Memorial Blvd # 255, Metairie, LA 70005
(888) 601-0127
Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers – New Orleans Office
365 Canal St Suite 415, New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 294-3804