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 by: Dan Baldyga

A couple months ago you were toolin on down the avenue, minding your own business, when out of nowhere, this fumbling, stumbling man by the name of Freddie Fuddle flew through a Stop Sign and plowed into you with a gigantic, rip-roaring, screeching broadside. You were wearing your seat belt but it was still a thundering crash that wrenched and whipped you around the inside of your motor vehicle something fierce!

Now, after a long recovery period, Fuddles carrier, Granite Mountain Insurance is clamoring to close the case and theyve assigned Claims Adjuster I. M. Strong, to handle your case. You and Strong are sitting at your kitchen table talking about your settlement dollars. It turns out hes got some hang-ups regarding your lost income. Well, here are some things you need to know:

Lost wages are one of the most important elements of your damages. Listen to me carefully when I say, "You should not think about the days you missed from work as Lost Time and Earnings. Its not Lost Time and Earnings - - its Lost Earning Capacity

You ask, Whats Lost Earning Capacity all about? I thought I could only collect for my Lost Income? The answer to that is, In many situations you can claim lost income EVEN IF YOU HAVENT LOST ONE SINGLE PENNY . For example, this can happen when your salary is paid because youve elected to apply for the sick leave thats due you, or because of an Accident and Health Policy available for you to take advantage of, or some other such arrangement.

In most instances - - even if you were paid while out of work - - you should still get that money routinely identified as Lost Wages. Why? Because thats your Lost Earning Capacity. Your Lost Earning Capacity is whats called a Compensatory Damage. Dont let Strong swindle you out of that Compensatory Damage. Even if youve received an income, in some other way, youre still entitled to it. Strong will do everything he can to take advantage of you, especially when it comes to getting paid for your Lost Earning Capacity. During the course of every settlement negotiation he gets involved in, hell try that tactic on for size, and its mind-boggling how often he gets away with it.

The typical statement made at that point, by the unsuspecting claimant is, Hey, I understand Im to be paid for my lost wages.

Strong answers, You collected $200.00 a week from your Accident and Health Policy didnt you?

Yeah, but my average weekly income last year was $275.00 a week.

Okay, I. M. Strong flashes a well practiced, winning smile, that tells you hes a fair insurance claim adjuster, when in his black heart, he knows he isnt, Well pay you that $75.00 a week difference. Lets see, you were laid up and unable to work for 5 weeks. 5 times $75.00 is $375.00. Dont worry my friend, Ill see to it youre paid that $375.00.

Wow! you think, thats terrific !. Youre thrilled to death with this great turn of events.But what you dont know is that the $200.00 a week youve received from your Accident and Health Policy has absolutely nothing to do with your lost income.The bottom line is that Smart has just cheated you out of a thousand dollars! And, worse than that, the $275.00 a week income you lost (for a total of $1,375.00) would have (in a court of law) given your case $4,000.00 to $5,000.00 more value in settlement dollars.

DOCUMENTING LOST INCOME: Ask the company you work for to write a letter on their official stationary declaring your gross salary income and the days you lost from work.

GROSS PAY VS. NET PAY: You should collect the "gross" wages you lost, not the "net".

TOTAL DISABILITY and/or PARTIAL DISABILITY: For every week of Total Disability (a fact which must be stated in your doctors Final Medical Report) you should use your gross weekly income - - even if you were paid! (For every week of Partial Disability your doctor states in that Final Medical Report, you have the right to claim a substantial percentage of your income, during that period, even if you didnt lose any).

Because the following five points give value to your claim be ready to talk with Smart about and, wherever possible, prove:

(1) If your work demands heavy labor and/or lifting. (2) If you lost any vacation time or sick leave. (3) If there was any possible loss of money you could have earned in the future - - either with your company or maybe other income youve got bubbling and boiling on the side. (4) If you had to forgo any bonuses. (5) If you lost an opportunity that would have led to a better job.

If any of the above five points are true than your claim is worth more money!

THE CRUCIAL MEDICAL REPORT: The Granite Mountain Insurance Company and Adjuster I. M. Strong know that the longer your recovery period, the greater your "pain and suffering", therefore the higher the settlement value of your bodily injury claim. Your Chiropractor or Attending Physician must also note this in his Final Medical Report. Tell him to state exactly how long it will be, before you can get back to routine activities like golf, hunting, fishing and/or rockin and rollin with your lady friends.

As long as you have problems keep right on going back to see your doctor, again and again, even if it drives the poor bugger nuts! Do this because the fact that your records show a visit to him, four, eight, or twelve weeks after the accident, proves your injury needed constant attention, therefore you were unable to work. Also because, when you visit your doctor and tell him theres no let-up of your pain, discomfort, stiffness or immobility - - those continuing problems must be written into the Medical Report hell provide for you when youve finished treatment. Thats the one youll hand to Adjuster Smart when the two of you begin to talk turkey. As he reads it youll watch him frown, then blanch as that cocky smile disappears from his face. When you see him do that youll know, "ya got him"!

DISCLAIMER: The only purpose of this claim tip is to help people understand the motor vehicle accident claim process. Neither Dan Baldyga nor Article City make any guarantee of any kind whatsoever; NOR do they purport to engage in rendering any professional or legal service; NOR to substitute for a lawyer, an insurance adjuster, or claims consultant, or the like. Where such professional help is desired it is the INDIVIDUALS RESPONSIBILITY to obtain said services.

Dan Badygas latest book Auto Accident Personal Injury Insurance Claim (How To Evaluate And Settle Your Loss) can be found at http://www.autoaccidentclaims.com.

Copyright (c) 2003 by Daniel G. Baldyga. All Rights Reserved

About The Author

For 30 years Dan Baldyga was a claims adjuster, supervisor, manager and also a trial assistant.He is now retired and spends his time attempting to assist those involved in motor vehicle accident claims so they will not be taken advantate of. Mail to:

dbpaw@attbi.com