Burlington Workers: Is Your Paycheck Disappearing After an Injury?

Lost Income Hurts—But You Can Fight for What’s Yours

You’ve got bills to pay. Rent, mortgage, groceries—it never ends. But if an injury has taken you out of work, those paychecks stop coming. And that’s terrifying. Every missed payday pushes you closer to financial stress you don’t deserve.

But here’s the thing: you don’t have to take it. If you were hurt on the job or due to someone else’s negligence, you have rights. You can fight for lost wages. Personal injury attorneys can help you navigate the process and make sure you get the compensation you deserve. Workers’ compensation, insurance claims, and even personal injury lawsuits can help you recover the money you should be earning.

So what’s stopping you? Maybe an insurance company is giving you the runaround. Maybe you’re self-employed and don’t know where to start. That’s where Horn Wright, LLP, comes in. Our attorneys help injured workers in Burlington fight back when lost wages threaten their financial future. In fact, you can hire one of the best law firms in America to fight for your rights. You worked hard for your paycheck. Let’s make sure you get what’s yours.

Proving Your Wages: What Insurers Hope You Don’t Know

Insurance companies love to play games. If they can find a way to pay you less, they’ll take it. They might argue that your income wasn’t that high to begin with or that there’s no “real proof” of what you lost. Don’t let them get away with it.

To push back, you need solid proof of your wages before your injury. That can include:

• Pay stubs from before the accident – These show exactly how much you were making. If you worked fluctuating hours, they help establish an average wage.
• Bank deposits showing regular paychecks – If your earnings were direct-deposited, your bank records tell the story insurers don’t want to hear.
• A signed statement from your employer – Even if you don’t have pay stubs handy, a letter from your boss verifying your pay rate can be powerful evidence.
• Tax returns that establish your income – If your income varied over time, past tax filings can show what you typically earned each year.

The more proof you have, the harder it is for insurers to deny you what’s rightfully yours. And if they try? That’s when a lawyer steps in to make sure they play fair. Personal injury attorneys know how to challenge these tactics and push back against unfair denials.

Bonuses, Overtime, Commissions—Yes, You Can Get Compensation for That Too

Think lost wages only include your base salary? Think again. If you regularly worked overtime, earned commissions, or got performance-based bonuses, that’s all income you should be compensated for.

But here’s the catch: insurance companies often “forget” to include these extras. They’ll calculate your lost wages based on your base pay alone, ignoring the real money you lost. That’s not just frustrating—it’s wrong.

To prove you deserve more, you’ll need:

• Old paychecks that show a history of overtime – If you were logging 10+ extra hours a week before your injury, that’s lost income that should be factored in.
• Contracts spelling out your commission structure – Sales jobs and performance-based roles often rely on commissions. If your contract shows you had expected earnings, that’s proof you need compensation.
• Employer records confirming your bonuses – If your job had regular bonuses for performance or attendance, those count as lost wages too.

If an insurance company tries to leave this money out, don’t let them. You earned it. You deserve it. And we’ll help you fight for it.

Self-Employed? A Business Owner? Your Financial Future Is at Stake

If you run your own business or work as a freelancer, lost income hits even harder. You don’t have an employer cutting you a steady paycheck, so proving what you lost gets trickier—but not impossible.

The key? Showing exactly how your income took a hit after your injury. Personal injury attorneys can help you gather the right evidence to prove your case. That means gathering hard proof, like tax returns, profit statements, and client invoices. The more detailed your records, the stronger your case.

Tax Filings, Industry Comparisons & Business Records That Prove Losses

Insurance companies love to challenge self-employed workers. They know proving lost income takes effort, and they hope you’ll just give up. Don’t.

You can back up your claim with:

• Tax returns from previous years – If you reported $80,000 in earnings before your injury but only $30,000 after, the numbers speak for themselves.
• Profit-and-loss statements showing your financial dip – If your revenue dropped by 40% after your accident, that’s undeniable proof of financial harm.
• Client contracts or invoices for expected work – Had projects lined up that you had to cancel? Those lost earnings matter.
• Industry data to show what professionals in your field typically earn – If an insurer claims your income was exaggerated, statistics can prove otherwise.

It’s all about leaving no room for doubt. If your injury kept you from making a living, you should be compensated for every dollar you lost.

Long-Term Wage Loss & Disability: How to Stop It from Destroying Your Life

Not every injury heals in a few weeks. If you’re facing a long recovery—or worse, a permanent disability—you’re looking at years of lost income. That’s not something you can afford to ignore.

Long-term wage loss compensation depends on a few key things:

• Are you completely unable to work? – If your injury prevents you from holding any job, you could qualify for full wage replacement.
• Are you forced into a lower-paying job? – If you can work but have to take a lower-paying position because of your injury, you may be owed compensation for the difference.
• Do you qualify for permanent disability benefits? – Some injuries entitle workers to lifelong payments, but insurers often fight these claims.

One of the biggest mistakes injured workers make? Accepting a lowball settlement too early. If your injury affects your ability to work long-term, you need a settlement that covers your future earnings—not just a few months of lost pay.

Get the Legal Help You Deserve

Lost wages can turn an already tough situation into a financial disaster. But you don’t have to go through this alone. At Horn Wright, LLP, we help injured workers in Burlington fight for every dollar they’re owed. If your paycheck has disappeared after an injury, let’s talk about how we can help. Contact us today. Our experienced personal injury attorneys are ready to fight for your lost wages and help you get back on your feet.