Insurance

Insurance - All The Information You Need On Insurance

Insurance Claim: Collecting Your Lost Wages


Insurance

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, Fuddle's carrier, Granite Mountain Insurance is clamoring to close the case and they've 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 he's got some hang-up's regarding your lost income. Well, here are some things you need to know:

Lost wages are one of the most important element's 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. It's not Lost Time and Earnings - - it's Lost Earning Capacity"

You ask, "What's 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 HAVEN'T LOST ONE SINGLE PENNY ". For example, this can happen when your salary is paid because you've elected to apply for the sick leave that's 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 that's your Lost Earning Capacity. Your Lost Earning Capacity is what's called a Compensatory Damage. Don't let Strong swindle you out of that Compensatory Damage. Even if you've received an income, in some other way, you're 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, he'll try that tactic on for size, and it's mind-boggling how often he gets away with it.

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

Strong answers, "You collected $200.00 a week from your Accident and Health Policy didn't 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 he's a fair insurance claim adjuster, when in his black heart, he knows he isn't, "We'll pay you that $75.00 a week difference. Let's see, you were laid up and unable to work for 5 weeks. 5 times $75.00 is $375.00. Don't worry my friend, I'll see to it you're paid that $375.00."

"Wow!" you think, "that's terrific !." You're thrilled to death with this great turn of events.But what you don't know is that the $200.00 a week you've 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" wage's 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 didn't 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 you've 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 there's no let-up of your pain, discomfort, stiffness or immobility - - those continuing problems must be written into the Medical Report he'll provide for you when you've finished treatment. That's the one you'll hand to Adjuster Smart when the two of you begin to talk turkey. As he reads it you'll watch him frown, then blanch as that cocky smile disappears from his face. When you see him do that you'll 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 INDIVIDUAL'S RESPONSIBILITY to obtain said services.

Dan Badyga's 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







Car Insurance Rates   |   Dental Insurance   |   Health Insurance   |   Home Owner Insurance   |   Life Insurance Quote



| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 |











Medical Insurance Overseas
Thousands of people have work related commitments and in order to fulfill those commitments they have to travel abroad. Have you ever realized that most of the insurance company's provide only domestic medical coverage? So, whenever you are leaving your home country, do check up with your current Insurance Company whether they have Medical Insurance Overseas.The purpose of taking medical insurance is that you should be covered under all circumstances and to get the medical cover where it is required. So, "Do not postpone for tomorrow; there maybe law against it" and try to get the Medical Insurance Overseas benefits as soon as possible.Things like medicines, fees charged by the doctors, evacuation if required and all other hospitalization fees are incl...(related: Insurance)


Why Would I Need Auto Insurance Specialists?
If you do not understand the way that auto insurance works, you really need to deal with auto insurance specialists. These are the agents that work for the insurance companies and they can answer any questions you might have. You don't have to get the auto insurance policy through the company because a quote and information is free. When you need to find out how the automobile insurance industry works, your best source of information is from auto insurance specialists.If you have classic, vintage autos, you really do need to have them insured, even if you don't drive them. Think about all the money you would lose if one of these cars were stolen. The Classic Auto Insurance Company has the auto insurance specialists you need to get the right policy for your classic cars.Many of the auto insurance progra...(related: Insurance)


Filing Auto Insurance Claims: The Basic Steps To Take
An automobile accident can be a terrifying event for anyone, even when there are no injuries sustained. However, it is stil...(related: Insurance)


Gain An Advantage Over Your Competition By Controlling The Cost Of Your Health Insurance
As many of us expect, the New Year will bring both tremendous challenges and opportunities for all of us both personally and professionally. Employers continue to face the major challenge of controlling the cost of their health insurance and other employee benefit programs. Organizations that can best get a handle on the cost of their employee benefit programs have an excellent opportunity to gain an advantage over their competition.What are some practical ways to control the cost of your health insurance? Here are a few suggestions:1) Investigate all of your traditional and consumer directed health plan options. Many companies are easing into consumer directed plans by offering them as part of a "dual cho...(related: Insurance)


Medical Insurance - Health Insurance Coverage & Plans Explained
If you're trying to decide between health insurance plans, you'll find that there are several different kinds from which to choose. It's important that you weigh ...(related: Insurance)


Travel Health Insurance - Understand The Benefits
If you're planning an overseas trip, you need travel health insurance. Every year, nearly 1 million Americans require emergency medical treatment while overseas. Traditional health insurance plans limit the expenses and amounts that they will pay outside the country, and necessary care may be delayed while arrangements for payment are made.Imagine being on vacation in Europe and breaking your leg, only to f...(related: Insurance)






Google




Saving On Auto Insurance: The Road To Reduction
The road to saving on auto insurance is something that every consumer travels at one time or another. And the quest is really not as difficult as it may appear. Saving on auto insurance can be a snap if you know the right places to look, and the best avenues to shop around.Here is a great way to save of auto insurance: driving safely. Driving with caution is one of the number one ways to keep those rates on the lower end. Insurance companies do not take too kindly to traffic tickets and auto accidents because they only increase their costs.Keep your credit in good standing. Some auto insurance companies will use your credit rating score in calculating your rates. So, if youÕve got a less than stellar credit rating, watch out! You may be dishing out more for your auto insurance than is ...(related: Insurance)

Consequences Of Late Insurance Payments
Did you realize that it could cost you more than a late fee when you make your insurance payments late? That's right, not only will you incur a late fee in most cases but also you are jeopardizing your current coverage and possibly your future rates.Let's consider what is probably the worst-case consequence of making late insurance payments. If you cut it too close and s...(related: Insurance)

What You Need To Know About Auto Insurance
Let's be realistic, everyone needs to have auto insurance. Aside from the fact that almost every state requires it, it is only logical for a driver to see that his vehicle is properly insured. Auto insurance offers property, liability and medical coverage. A full policy c...(related: Insurance)

site-map - Copyright © 2006 Insurance | All Rights Reserved. | Insurance