Being injured in an accident is hard enough, but when those injuries keep you from working, the financial pressure can quickly become overwhelming. Missed paychecks, rising medical bills, and uncertainty about your recovery timeline can make a difficult situation even more stressful.
Whether you were hurt on the job, in a car crash, or because of someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to recover lost wages. Many Michigan residents don’t realize they have multiple legal options available to them.
At West Michigan Injury Lawyers, we help injured workers understand their rights and fight for the compensation they need to get back on solid financial ground.
Why Lost Wages Are a Critical Part of Recovery
When you can’t work due to an injury, everything from mortgage payments to grocery bills can become a challenge. Lost wages aren’t just about missed income—they can impact your long-term recovery and quality of life.
In Michigan, wage recovery can come through several different legal channels, depending on how the injury happened:
- Workers’ compensation
- Auto insurance or no-fault benefits
- Personal injury claims
Understanding which avenue applies to your case—and how to pursue it—can make a big difference in your financial stability during recovery.
Understanding Your Rights as an Injured Worker in Michigan
Michigan law protects injured workers, but those protections depend on the circumstances of your accident.
- Workers’ compensation typically covers part of your lost wages if you were injured on the job.
- You may be able to file a personal injury claim for lost income if you were injured in a car accident or due to someone else’s negligence.
Navigating these systems can be confusing, but you don’t have to figure it out alone. Our legal team can help you determine the best path to compensation.
Workers’ Compensation and Lost Wages in Michigan
If your injury occurred at work, you may qualify for wage replacement benefits through Michigan’s workers’ compensation system.
Here’s how it works:
- You must prove your injury occurred in the course of your job duties.
- Benefits are generally 80% of your after-tax weekly wage, based on your highest-earning 39 weeks of the previous year.
- Benefits vary depending on whether you’re temporarily or permanently disabled, and whether the disability is partial or total.
For more about Michigan workers’ compensation benefits, contact our team today.
Lost Wages After Non-Work-Related Accidents
If you were injured outside of work, such as in a motor vehicle crash, motorcycle accident, slip and fall, or another accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be eligible for lost income through a personal injury claim.
Key considerations:
- You’ll need to prove that another party was liable for your injuries.
- Wage loss can include not just your past missed income but also reduced earning capacity if your injury limits your future work.
Even if you’re covered under Michigan’s no-fault auto insurance, wage loss benefits typically have limits and timeframes, which makes speaking with a lawyer essential.
How to Start the Lost Wage Claims Process in Michigan
To recover lost wages, you’ll need the right documentation and to act within specific time limits. Here’s what to gather:
- Medical documentation showing you’re unable to work
- Employer verification of missed days or reduced hours
- Pay stubs or tax records to calculate your income
Whether you’re filing a workers’ comp claim or a personal injury case, deadlines matter. If your claim is denied or disputed, you may need to file an appeal—another area where legal guidance is crucial. Contact us to get started.
How a Michigan Injury Lawyer Can Help
At West Michigan Injury Lawyers, we help injured workers and accident victims:
- Accurately calculate lost wages, including potential future income loss
- Navigate insurance paperwork and legal filings
- Negotiate a fair settlement or take legal action if needed
Our team is deeply familiar with Michigan law and knows how to fight for the compensation our clients deserve. Best of all, we work on a contingency basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Don’t Leave Money on the Table
If you’ve lost income after an accident, don’t assume your only option is to tough it out or accept a low offer from insurance. Settling too early or without legal advice could mean walking away from money you’re legally entitled to.
Let West Michigan Injury Lawyers help you protect your finances and move forward with confidence. Schedule your free consultation today to explore your options.
About the Author, Attorney Loryn Schlinker
If you have been injured in West Michigan through no fault of your own, contact Attorney Loryn Schlinker today for a free consultation.
Passionate and dedicated to the public services field, Loryn Schlinker started her career by assisting underserved clientele that could not otherwise afford legal representation.
Her practice areas include: motor vehicle accidents, slip and falls, dog bites, and premises liability.
Loryn is not only licensed to practice law in the state of Michigan. She is also licensed to practice in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, where she spends time fighting for her clients’ rights to have their medical bills paid by the auto insurance carrier, where their auto insurance and health insurance policies conflict.
