Losing Pay After a Buffalo, NY Work Injury? 

Fight Back Now! 

Getting hurt on the job isn’t just painful—it turns your whole life upside down. Personal injury attorneys can help you fight for the wages you've lost and ensure you're not left struggling. One minute, you’re working hard and paying your bills. The next, you’re stuck at home, watching your bank account shrink while medical bills pile up. It’s frustrating. It’s unfair. And the worst part? Insurance companies won’t make it easy for you to get the money you deserve. 

But here’s the good news: You don’t have to face this alone. New York Workers’ Compensation Law protects employees injured on the job, ensuring they receive benefits for lost wages and medical care.  

At Horn Wright, LLP, we fight for injured workers in Buffalo who’ve lost their income. We’re proud to be recognized as one of the best law firms in America. We know the tricks insurance companies use to underpay claims, and we don’t let them get away with it.  

Crushed by Medical Bills? Here’s How Long-Term Disabilities Can Wreck Your Income 

Being out of work for a few weeks is tough enough. But when an injury leaves you out for months—or even permanently—it’s terrifying. How are you supposed to keep up with rent, car payments, and groceries when your paycheck is gone? 

• Every lost paycheck hurts – The average worker in Buffalo earns about $52,000 a year. If you’re out for just three months, that’s over $13,000 in lost wages. That’s a big hole in your finances. 
• Your future income takes a hit, too – Studies show workers with long-term disabilities make about 30% less over their lifetime. A lower-paying job or forced early retirement can drain your savings. 
• Medical costs add up fast – Physical therapy can cost anywhere from $50 to $350 per session. Surgeries and hospital stays? Those bills can hit tens of thousands. 
• Retirement plans stall – No paycheck means no 401(k) contributions. You’re not just losing money today—you’re losing financial security down the road. 

Buffalo isn’t exactly cheap, and missing paychecks can push families to the edge. The New York State Disability Benefits Law provides wage replacement for employees with off-the-job injuries or illnesses, helping them stay financially afloat. 

Our injury attorneys know how to navigate these cases and make sure you get what you're owed. But you don’t have to accept financial ruin. If your injury affects your ability to work, you have legal options to fight back. 

Prove Every Dollar of Your Lost Wages—Don’t Let Insurers Cheat You 

Insurance companies don’t play fair. New York law allows injured workers to pursue compensation beyond workers’ comp when negligence is involved. They’ll demand proof for every penny you’ve lost. Miss a single document? They’ll use it as an excuse to underpay or deny your claim. But with the right evidence, you can fight back. 

What Pay Stubs, Employer Letters, and Contracts Reveal 

Your boss and your paperwork hold the key to proving what you’re owed. Gather these documents: 

• Pay stubs – Show your usual hours, overtime, and base pay. The average hourly wage in Buffalo is around $25—losing even a few weeks of work adds up fast. 
• Employer statements – A simple letter from your boss confirming your pay rate and hours can be powerful evidence. If you usually work 40 hours a week at $20/hour, one lost month equals $3,200 gone. 
• Employment contracts – If you were set for a raise, commissions, or bonuses, this paperwork proves what you should’ve earned. Many Buffalo workers rely on quarterly bonuses that insurers try to ignore. 
• Tax records – If your injury knocked you out for an entire year, your tax filings paint a clear picture of how much income you’ve lost. 

The Self-Employed Trap: How to Fight for Your Missing Income 

Freelancers, gig workers, and small business owners face a tougher battle. Without a boss to vouch for them, insurance companies try to dismiss their claims. But there are ways to prove lost income: 

• 1099 forms – These show what clients paid you in previous years. In 2022, over 36% of U.S. workers had some freelance income—insurers can’t ignore that. 
• Client invoices – If you had jobs lined up before the injury, those unpaid invoices show exactly what you lost. A Buffalo-based web designer charging $1,000 per project who lost three contracts? That’s $3,000 of lost income. 
• Profit-and-loss statements – A 25% drop in revenue after your injury is hard to argue with. Show them the numbers. 
• Bank records – A consistent stream of deposits before your injury proves what you were earning. 

Don’t let an insurer undervalue your hard work. Our Buffalo personal injury lawyers will gather the right evidence to prove every dollar of your lost income. Your lost income is real, and it deserves real compensation. 

Bonuses, Overtime, Promotions—If You Earned It, You Deserve It 

Your paycheck isn’t just about your base salary. Overtime, commissions, bonuses—these are a huge part of your income. If your injury takes those away, you deserve compensation for that loss. 

Insurance companies love to ignore these earnings. They’ll calculate your lost wages based on the lowest number possible. Don’t let them. If you have records showing consistent overtime or a scheduled raise, you can demand full compensation. 

A personal injury or workers’ compensation claim should reflect everything you lost. You worked for it. You earned it. Now, let’s make sure you get it. 

Business Owners in Buffalo: How an Injury Can Derail Your Livelihood 

Running a business takes hustle. When you’re injured, it’s not just your income at risk—it’s your entire operation. Clients, contracts, and reputation are all on the line. 

Here’s what’s at stake: 

• No work, no revenue – Over 80% of small business owners rely on their own labor. If you’re out, the business suffers. 
• Skyrocketing expenses – Hiring temporary help can cost between $1,500-$5,000 a month. That’s money you might not have. 
• Lost customers – Studies show 60% of clients switch to a competitor after just one bad experience. If you can’t fulfill your commitments, they’ll find someone else who can. 
• Long-term damage – Nearly half of small businesses fail within five years. An unexpected injury can speed up that timeline. 

Your business is your livelihood. New York Business Interruption Insurance Laws can help small business owners recover losses if an injury disrupts their ability to work. If an injury threatens it, you need to take action. 

Get the Compensation You Deserve—Contact Horn Wright, LLP Today 

Losing income after an injury is more than frustrating—it’s life-changing. You shouldn’t have to struggle because of someone else’s mistake. At Horn Wright, LLP, we fight for Buffalo’s injured workers and business owners to make sure they get every dollar they’re owed. Our Buffalo lawyers in Buffalo know exactly how to take on insurance companies and win. 

Don’t let an insurance company dictate your future. Call Horn Wright, LLP today, and let’s get your lost income back where it belongs—in your pocket.