When someone is involved in a personal injury accident, the injuries sustained can often lead to long-term consequences. One of these consequences may be the ability to work, which can result in lost income. In Michigan, it is possible to recover damages for future lost earnings incurred as a result of a personal injury, and this article will explain how.
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Understanding Personal Injury Cases in Michigan
Personal injury cases in Michigan are typically filed as negligence claims. This means that the person who caused the injury was negligent in some way that led to the injury occurring. Proving negligence requires showing that the person who caused the injury had a duty of care to the injured person, that they breached that duty, and that the breach resulted in the injury.
If you can prove negligence in a personal injury case in Michigan, you may be entitled to compensation for a variety of damages, including medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.
One of the more challenging aspects of calculating damages is determining what future lost earnings may look like.
How Are Future Lost Earnings Calculated?
When determining an award for future lost earnings, a few different factors are taken into account. Below are some of the most significant factors:
Income Prior to the Injury
One of the starting points for calculating future lost earnings is your income prior to the injury. If you were earning a steady income before the accident, that information can be used to help calculate your expected future earnings if the injury had not occurred.
Forced Time Off Work
If your injury required you to take time off work – or forces you to take more time off in the future – it can impact your ability to earn money. Lost wages incurred as a result of missed work directly after the injury can be calculated and added to the claim for future lost earnings.
Prognosis for the Future
Medical experts will be able to weigh in on how likely it is that your injury will impact your ability to work in the future. This prognosis is essential when calculating the amount of damages for future lost earnings that you may be awarded.
Possible Career Interference
In some cases, an injury may be severe enough to impact the type of work you are able to do or even limit future career opportunities. Future lost earning damage calculations should always consider the possibility of interference with future career choices.
Inflation
When determining an award for future lost earnings, it is important to consider inflation. This helps ensure that the adjusted amount is accurate for what you would have earned over a period of time if you had not been injured.
How Long Do I Have to Claim Future Lost Earnings?
In Michigan, the statute of limitations for a personal injury claim is generally three years from the date of the injury. This means that you have three years from the date of the accident to file a claim. If you wait too long, you could miss your opportunity to recover damages for future lost earnings.
Conclusion
If you are considering filing a personal injury lawsuit in Michigan, recovering damages for future lost earnings can be a key part of your claim. Working with an experienced personal injury attorney is critical to ensure that your claim accurately reflects what you may have earned if not for the injury. Once you have a better understanding of the factors used to determine the damages for future lost earnings, you can move forward with your case and get the compensation you deserve.