What to do if You’re Injured and Can’t Work?

If you suffer an injury and are unable to work, you are not out of options. However, the choices you will have available to you will depend on the specific nature of your injury.  

The most important question in a personal injury case is whether or not your injuries were the fault of someone else. While there are situations in which you could recover compensation after injuring yourself, most legal options require the negligence of another person to play a role.  

The good news is that you do not have to face this circumstance on your own. Experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyers can evaluate your injuries and advise you on if you have a case for compensation for your lost wages.  

Car accidents 

Car accidents are one of the most common causes of serious injuries in the United States. Thankfully, car accident injuries are more likely to come with insurance coverage than most other situations. These policies could help you recover all of your losses including your lost wages.  

If you suffered injuries through the fault of another driver, you have the right to pursue a claim against their liability insurance policy. Every driver must carry some kind of minimum liability coverage when they register their vehicle. This coverage could lead to the compensation you need to be made whole.  

Unfortunately, some drivers do not have the necessary amount of insurance coverage. That does not mean you are on your own. Some drivers have comprehensive or uninsured motorist coverage of their own. A personal injury lawyer can review your policy and advise you if you have either form of coverage.  

Slip and fall injuries 

If a slip and fall accident results in injuries that keep you from maintaining employment, you could have the right to pursue a legal claim against the property owner. Property owners have a duty to maintain safe premises for their guests. If they fail in this duty, you could suffer a serious injury.  

If you are unable to work after a fall, you have a few options in front of you. Most property owners maintain homeowner’s insurance or some other similar policy for these types of injuries. A successful insurance claim could result in compensation for your lost wages and other accident-related losses.  

If the homeowner or the insurance company refuses to settle your claim, you could pursue a lawsuit. Obtaining a trial verdict against the property owner could result in a monetary award that covers the lost wages you suffer after your injury.  

Dangerous products 

In some cases, an injury from a dangerous or defective product could cost you time away from work. If the product injured you while you were using it as intended, you could have a legal claim against the manufacturer. 

There are many ways a product could become defective. The design could be inherently unsafe or a mistake during construction could cause it to become unreliable. In addition to compensation for your medical bills and other losses, you could also pursue a claim for your lost wages. 

Workplace injuries 

Many injuries occur during the workplace. The circumstances of that injury will determine your options for seeking compensation if you are too hurt to return to work right away. 

If you suffer an injury due to your own mistake or through the negligence of your employer, you could have a worker’s compensation claim on your hands. While you may not file a lawsuit against your employer under these circumstances, you could receive weekly wage replacement benefits under a worker’s compensation policy. 

If you suffer injuries at work at the hands of a third party, you could pursue a standard personal injury lawsuit against them. Your personal injury attorneys could advise you on your options after a workplace injury.  

Talk to an attorney about your injury case 

Facing the prospect of lost wages after an accident is stressful for anyone. The unexpected loss of your income is especially devastating when facing sudden medical debt. Let the attorneys of Ellis Injury Law help you pursue a claim for compensation that will get you back on your feet. Call right away to schedule a free consultation.