What Does “Loss of Future Earning Capacity” Mean After a Motor Vehicle Accident?
Loss of future earning capacity can make up a significant portion of a motor vehicle accident injury claim. Reduced future earning capacity covers money you could have earned in the future if the accident had not happened and you had not suffered injuries that affected your ability to make a living.
What Is the Difference Between Lost Wages and Loss of Future Earning Capacity?
Lost wages are the lost income you have already missed due to the accident if you were unable to work while recovering from your car crash injuries. Loss of future earning capacity after a car accident in NC is different.
Compensation for reduced earning capacity focuses on the long-term effect the injury has on your work life. It attempts to offset the impact of your injuries on your ability to earn money going forward. For example, you may not be able to return to the same job, work the same hours, perform physical tasks, or advance in your career as you once could.
Types of Injuries That Can Affect Your Ability to Work
Some car and truck accident injuries make it harder to perform the same work you did before, especially if your job requires lifting, standing, driving, or focused concentration. Some examples of serious injuries affecting future income include:
- Severe back injuries
- Neck or spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Serious bone fractures
- Nerve damage
- Chronic pain or limited mobility
How Is Loss of Future Earning Capacity Calculated in North Carolina?
Loss of future earning capacity is calculated based on the difference between what you could have earned without the ongoing limitations from the injury and what you will be able to earn after the injury. Factors that can influence the calculation may include your age, education, work history, job skills, medical restrictions, and expected career path.
In some cases, your car or motorcycle accident lawyer may consult doctors, vocational professionals, and financial professionals to explain how the injury affects your ability to work and earn income.
Can You Recover Loss of Future Earnings if You Are Still Working?
Yes, you may still have a claim for future lost earning capacity from a Greensboro car or bike accident, even if you have returned to work. The issue isn’t whether you can work now, but whether your injuries have reduced your ability to earn money going forward. For example, your injuries may require you to switch to a lower-paying job, work fewer hours, perform lighter duties, or take more time off for medical care because of lasting accident-related limitations.
How a Greensboro Car Accident Lawyer Can Help Prove Loss of Earning Capacity
If you’re facing diminished earning capacity in NC after a motor vehicle accident, the award-winning attorneys at Ward Black Law want to help you pursue compensation for lost future earnings. We often work with financial experts and vocational experts to support claims for future lost income in personal injury cases.
Our experienced attorneys have an extensive track record of successful case results and a long list of satisfied clients. Contact our office now at (800) 531-9191 or contact us online to arrange a free consultation with a North Carolina personal injury attorney. Let us help you seek compensation for your future lost earnings.
