Proving Lost Income in a North Carolina Injury Claim: Why Your Own Word Isn’t Enough
When you’ve been hurt in an accident, you may miss time from work. That missed income is an important part of your personal injury claim. But here’s the catch: just writing down your own estimate of how much money you lost isn’t enough to convince an insurance company—or a jury—that your claim is legitimate.
I understand the temptation. You know how many hours you missed, what your paycheck usually looks like, and how your injury has impacted your ability to work. But from a legal standpoint, your personal statement about lost wages isn’t strong evidence.
Why Your Word Isn’t Enough
Insurance companies don’t just take your word for it because you’re not what’s called a “disinterested party.” You’re the one asking for money, so of course you have a financial interest in the outcome. That doesn’t mean you’re dishonest—it just means that your own notes or estimates don’t carry the same weight as independent documentation.
Think about it this way: if you were asked to prove how much money you spent on your bicycle that got ran over by a neighbor, would your handwritten note saying “I spent $1,000” be credible? Probably not. You’d want to see bank records, receipts, or some kind of third-party proof. Injury claims work the same way.
What Counts as Good Proof
The best way to prove lost income is with documentation from sources other than yourself, like:
- Employer statements on company letterhead showing your hours missed and rate of pay. THIS, coupled with doctor’s notes writing you out/putting you on light duty is the GOLD STANDARD.
- Tax returns if you’re self-employed, backed up by client invoices or contracts, is often what you have to do in lieu of an employer’s note.
- Medical records tying your inability to work directly to your injury.
The more independent the source of the information, the harder it is for the insurance company to argue with it.
Why It Matters
Lost income is a real part of your damages, but it’s also one of the areas insurance adjusters love to pick apart. If you don’t have proper documentation, they’ll either lowball you or deny that portion of your claim altogether. By gathering the right records from the beginning, you put yourself in the best position to be compensated fairly.
I’ve written before about how insurance companies look for any excuse to minimize your claim, and lost wages are one of the easiest targets if you don’t have solid proof.
For more general information about documenting lost income and damages, the Insurance Information Institute has some useful resources for accident victims nationwide.
The Bottom Line
If you’re serious about recovering lost income after an injury, don’t rely on a handwritten note or a self-made spreadsheet. Get the records. Get the employer statement. Get the paperwork that makes your claim undeniable. And if you’re not sure how to do that, that’s where I step in—I know what insurance companies will accept and what they’ll reject.
📞 Call me today if you need help proving your lost income claim. 919-929-2992
🖥️ jeffreyhowardlaw.com
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