Loss of Earnings Claim — Scotland

Loss of Earnings

Understanding loss of earnings claims

After an accident, you could suffer serious injuries that might take away your ability to work and provide for your family. This adds further stress to an already painful situation for you and your loved ones. In these situations, our claims solicitors can help you claim for loss of earnings.

A loss of income claim can cover various scenarios, including:

• Complete inability to work due to injuries
• Reduced working hours or capacity
• Loss of overtime or bonus opportunities
• Self-employed loss of income

If you return to work on reduced hours or pay, you may still be able to claim for the difference between your usual income and what you earn now.

Impact of accidents on your work & finances

The suffering can be a frustrating and painful time for you and your loved ones. The injuries you sustain can range from minor to life-changing, possibly requiring physiotherapy or surgery as part of your recovery.

The financial implications of an accident can extend beyond just lost wages. You might face:

• Medical bills not covered by NHS
• Travel costs for medical appointments
• Additional childcare expenses
• Costs for home modifications or special equipment

If your work circumstances have changed as a result of an accident that wasn’t your fault, you must be compensated accordingly.

Why professional legal help matters for loss of earnings compensation

In some employment contracts, employers such as NHS or local councils may have the right to recover wages paid during periods of absence. Many people are unaware of this until a claim is underway.

As your personal injury solicitor, Watermans will review your employment terms and advise whether repayment applies. Early legal advice places you in a stronger position to recover fair compensation for your loss of earnings.

Making a Claim

How do I make a loss of earnings claim?

Claiming for a loss of earnings can seem daunting, but our team of injury claim solicitors is here to help.

The process typically involves:

• Initial consultation: Our team of injury claim solicitors will assess your case and explain the process.
• Submit evidence: As part of our process for assisting you with loss of earnings compensation, we’ll help you collect all the necessary documentation to support your claim. This typically includes:
  • Wage slips to demonstrate your earnings before the accident
  • Bank statements showing the financial impact of your injury
  • Medical evidence, such as medical records and reports to prove the extent of your injuries
  • Witness statements to prove the circumstances of your accident
• Calculating losses: We’ll calculate the full extent of your losses, including potential future loss of earnings.
• Building your case: Our team will compile a comprehensive claim, including all relevant evidence.
• Negotiation: We’ll liaise with the at-fault party’s insurers to secure fair compensation for loss of earnings and any other financial losses you’ve incurred.
• Settlement or court: Most loss of earnings claims are settled out of court, but if necessary, we’ll represent you in legal proceedings.

Our loss of earnings claim solicitors deal directly with your employers to seek the compensation that you deserve. That means that we don’t need to bother you for documentation and payslips, as we work with your employers to gather the correct information for your case.

To make a successful personal injury claim, you’ll also need to prove that:

• The accident wasn’t your fault
• Your injuries were caused by the accident
• You’ve suffered financial losses as a result

Additional evidence needed might include other documents, like:

• Tax returns (especially for self-employed individuals)
• Employment contracts
• Evidence of lost bonuses or overtime

If your accident occurred within the last three years, and it wasn’t your fault, contact our solicitors today to start your loss of earnings claim.

We handle the legal side so you can focus on recovering and getting your life back on track.

Speak to one of our dedicated personal injury specialists today to begin your personal injury compensation claim process.

How Much Compensation? 

How much compensation can I claim for loss of earnings?

The compensation amount depends on the circumstances and resulting consequences of your accident.

Here are several factors that can influence how much you may receive:

• Lost income: This includes wages lost due to time off work and any reduction in pay if you’ve returned to work on reduced hours.
• Future losses: We consider potential future earnings you might miss out on due to ongoing injuries or disability.
• Earning capacity: Your loss of earnings claim may factor in reduced earning capacity if you can’t return to your previous role or the same salary.
• Career advancement: We consider potential lost opportunities for promotions or career advancement.
• Pension contributions: Missed pension contributions can be included in your loss of earnings compensation claim.
• Bonus payments: Any lost bonuses or commissions can be factored into your compensation for loss of earnings.
• Benefits: Any loss of benefits or employer-provided perks like company car allowances or health insurance can be considered.

Calculating loss of earnings compensation

Loss of earnings is typically calculated by looking at:

• Average income: We often use your earnings from the previous three months before the accident as a baseline to calculate your average income.
• Future losses: We estimate potential future financial losses based on your injuries.
• Special damages: These cover quantifiable financial losses, including lost wages and medical expenses.
• General damages: These compensate for the negative impact on your quality of life, including pain, suffering, and loss of amenity.

Remember, your individual circumstances play a crucial role in determining your loss of earnings compensation.

Why Watermans?

Why should I choose Watermans to pursue my personal injury claim?

Watermans simplifies legal services so people can progress in life.

Our expert team is committed to making the claims process straightforward for our clients following an accident. With offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dunfermline and Dundee, we take the hassle from you and fight each case to secure the maximum level of compensation.

We also provide access to a range of additional services, such as physiotherapy and psychological treatment. This ensures you recover from your injuries as soon as possible and get your life back on track.

Trusted Personal Injury Solicitors in Scotland

Our expertise in personal injury claims covers a wide range of areas, including:

• Accidents at work
• Public liability claims
• Road traffic accidents
• Fatal and serious injury claims
• Cases relating to abuse

We represent thousands of clients throughout Scotland each year, helping them secure millions of pounds in compensation for loss of earnings. We work on a no-win, no-fee basis, which means that if your claim for personal and injury loss of earnings is unsuccessful, you won’t end up out of pocket.

Let us help you with your claim for loss of earnings. Request a callback today.