Pay Stubs As Evidence In An Injury Claim
When you’re injured in an accident, the financial strain can be overwhelming. Medical bills pile up quickly, and if your injuries prevent you from working, lost wages can add another layer of stress. Fortunately, relief is available when documentation is in place. Pay stubs and other forms of evidence can strengthen an injury claim. A Miami personal injury lawyer can help you secure the financial relief you need.
Pay Stubs Provide a Clear Record
A pay stub is a document that outlines an employee’s earnings and deductions for a specific pay period. It typically includes gross wages (total earnings before deductions) and net pay (take-home pay after deductions). Taxes withheld are also listed, as well as benefits deductions, such as health insurance and retirement contributions. If an employee is hourly, the hours worked will be stated as well.
Because they are a record of an employee’s earnings, pay stubs are essential when seeking compensation for lost wages after an accident. If you were unable to work due to your injuries, your attorney can use your pay stubs to establish:
- Your regular income before the accident
- The amount of lost wages due to missed work
- Overtime or bonuses you would have received
- Pay increases that were expected but lost due to injury
Insurance companies and courts require clear documentation to support a lost wage claim. Without proper evidence, your compensation may be reduced or denied. Also, if your injury affects your ability to work in the future, your past pay stubs can help establish what you were earning before the accident so that amount can be forecasted on future earning potential.
There are situations where benefit loss could be part of a claim, too. For example, if your injury caused you to lose employer-sponsored benefits, such as health insurance or retirement contributions, pay stubs can show the deductions that were made before the accident.
Digital and Online Pay Stubs Could Be Acceptable
While official printed pay stubs can be beneficial, they are not always necessary. Many employers now provide electronic pay stubs rather than printed versions. In most cases, digital or online pay stubs are acceptable forms of evidence, as long as they are official company-issued documents.
The key is ensuring that the pay stub is verifiable and accurate. If needed, a Miami personal injury lawyer can obtain employment verification letters or payroll records from your employer to further support your claim. So, your lawyer may request PDF versions downloaded from your employer’s payroll portal, screenshots of digital pay stubs with employer details visible, or printed copies of online pay stubs for record-keeping purposes.
Were you asked for income loss documentation? If you have suffered an injury and are unable to work, your pay stubs can be a vital piece of evidence in recovering lost wages. Whether in digital or printed form, pay records establish your earnings before the accident and ensure that you receive fair compensation. Talk to the lawyers at Spencer Morgan Law to learn more. Call 305-423-3800 to book a confidential consultation.