Free tool
Lost wages calculator
Estimate the income you've lost since the crash: full days, partial days for appointments, and sick or vacation time you had to use.
Estimated lost earnings
$2,000
Daily value used
$200
Sick/PTO days used
0 days ($0)
Paid sick or vacation days are included in the total because you used up a benefit you would otherwise have kept; whether they are recoverable can depend on your state and policy. Keep pay stubs and an employer letter confirming the dates you missed.
By Serdar Arslan, editor · Last reviewed · How we research
Example
An hourly worker earning $25 for an 8-hour day misses 10 full days and leaves 3 hours early for 4 physical therapy appointments: 10 × $200 + 4 × 3 × $25 = $2,300 in lost earnings, before any overtime or bonuses.
Add the result to your expense tracker so all economic losses are in one place, and see how settlements work.
Frequently asked questions
›How are lost wages calculated after an accident?
Generally by multiplying your regular pay rate by the time you missed because of your injuries, plus other income you can show you lost, such as overtime or bonuses. Salaried pay is usually converted to a daily rate.
›Can I claim sick or vacation days I used?
Often, yes. You used up a benefit you would otherwise have kept. Rules vary by state and by insurer, so document every day used.
›What proof do I need?
Pay stubs or tax returns showing your rate, and a letter from your employer listing the dates and hours you missed. Self-employed people typically use tax returns, invoices and bank records.
›Does this include future lost earning capacity?
No. Future losses from a lasting injury usually require medical and vocational evidence. This calculator covers time already missed.
›How is a salary converted to a daily rate here?
Annual salary divided by 52 weeks times your work days per week. For a $60,000 salary and a 5-day week, that is about $231 per day.