Sarasota Wage Loss for Self-Employed Workers
If you are a self-employed worker in Sarasota who sustained injuries in a car accident, you may not have been able to supply your clients with their projects while you were recovering. As a result, you likely experienced a loss of income. Part of damage recovery can be lost wages, but for self-employed workers proving the amount is different than the process is for individuals who are permanent employees.
For permanent company employees, there are W2 tax statements and regular paychecks. These documents are helpful in proving what a person’s income was before they had to stop working due to an injury. For self-employed workers, the issue is a bit more complex. To secure a fair settlement, connect with a Sarasota personal injury lawyer. An experienced attorney can assess your situation and be sure you are compensated fairly, both for time you had to work at a reduced capacity and for time you were unable to work at all.
Documents to Prove Self-Employment Income
Whether you are an independent contractor, a freelancer, or a sole proprietor, you are self-employed if you handle your own taxes and are in control of what hours you work and where you work them. Because self-employed workers are responsible for their own finances, documentation collected from the individual can help prove your income prior to an injury. One or all of the following may be helpful:
- Taxes that were filed in previous years
- 1099 forms
- Invoices, both pending and paid
- Bank account statement
Collecting all of these documents is a way to provide the insurance companies or a jury with a financial picture. With these documents gathered, you can show what you have earned in the past and use that as a guideline to argue what you would have earned had you not had to take time off to heal from a car accident.
Have a Sarasota Attorney Evaluate Your Claim
Experienced personal injury lawyers know how to assess lost wages, whether you are a permanent employee of a company or if you are self-employed worker who has been working on a contract basis for years. A Sarasota personal injury lawyer can look over your documentation and wage history. Then, they will let you know what the value of your claim could be.
A lawyer will also let you know if more documentation is necessary to strengthen your claim. Medical records are an important part of securing lost wages, for example. Doctor statements can link the injury to the loss of work.
Even if you are able to work part time, compensation may be possible if you are no longer able to obtain the workload you could in the past. After all, your income is reduced.
Are you struggling financially because you are a self-employed person who can no longer work due to a car accident? A seasoned attorney can help you secure compensation for medical fees and time off of work. Contact the experienced personal injury lawyers at Hale Law. To schedule a free consultation, call at 941-735-4529 or contact us online. We don’t get paid unless you get paid.
