Why and How to Document Your Lost Wage Claim After a Car Accident in Massachusetts

If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Massachusetts, you may be entitled to recover lost wages as part of your damages – economic losses.  Initially, lost wages may be recovered through your own auto insurance company’s Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits and, ultimately, through the bodily injury claim against the at-fault negligent driver that caused the accident and your injuries.

However, to receive this lost wage compensation, one thing is absolutely critical: documentation. Many accident victims don’t realize how important it is to properly and thoroughly document their wage loss. Without it, you risk delays, denials, or reduced compensation for the time you were unable to work. This is especially important for residents of areas like Framingham, Worcester, and Boston, where the cost of living is high and time away from work can quickly create financial hardship. Here’s why it matters—and how to do it right.

Why Documenting Lost Wages in Massachusetts Is So Important

First, documenting your lost wages right away protects your immediate financial well-being. Under Massachusetts law, your own auto insurance policy provides up to $8,000 in PIP benefits, which include coverage of 75% of your lost wages (up to the PIP limits). However, auto insurers will only pay these benefits if you secure and submit proper documentation, including medical proof that you were unable to work (i.e., a disability note) and verification of your wages from your employer. Without this evidence, they may delay or deny payment.

Second, if your wage loss exceeds what PIP covers, you may be able to seek the remaining amount from the negligent driver’s auto insurance company as part of your bodily injury claim or personal injury lawsuit. This includes not only additional past wages but potentially future lost earnings if your injuries impact your long-term earning capacity. To recover full compensation in a settlement or lawsuit, you must present clear, well-organized proof of both your prior income and the impact the accident had on your ability to earn your wages. As the old saying goes "it's not what you know, it's what you can prove." In the legal setting of a personal injury case, the auto insurance adjusters are not going to take your word for it that you were unable to work or that you lost income, you must prove it with evidence and documentation.

Finally, good documentation ensures you meet legal and insurance requirements. Massachusetts insurers require timely, detailed wage loss evidence as part of their claims process. Incomplete or inaccurate submissions can lead to frustrating delays or disputes and may harm your credibility if your claim goes to court.

How to Properly Document Your Lost Wages

Disability Note from Your Doctor

To support a lost wage claim, you’ll need a combination of medical documentation, employer statements, and income records. Start by obtaining a note or report from your doctor that clearly states your injuries prevented you from working and outlines the expected duration of your disability. This is commonly referred to as a disability note. Insurers require this medical validation before approving wage loss payments. Sometimes, doctors – whether at urgent care, the emergency room, or your primary care physician – are concerned about your health and treatment. They may not realize the importance of documenting your inability to work for legal or insurance purposes. So, you need to ask them for a disability note – a note from the doctor that advises you to stay out of work due to your injuries.

Wage and Salary Verification

Next, you must obtain a written wage verification from your employer. This is typically referred to as a wage and salary verification form. This should include your job title, rate of pay, hours typically worked, dates missed due to the accident, and confirmation that you were not paid during that time. Generally, when a PIP claim is filed and opened, your auto insurance company will send you an initial package including a PIP application and a wage and salary verification form. If you receive these documents, be sure to use the proper version when seeking compensation for lost wages. To someone going through this situation for the first time, the amount of paperwork and insurance forms can be overwhelming. That is why it is always recommended to consult with an experienced Massachusetts car accident attorney for guidance and advice.

If you haven’t received a wage and salary verification form from your auto insurance company, you should seek written wage verification from your employer. If you work in a city like Boston or Worcester with a large employer, their HR department may have a standard form they use. For small businesses in towns like Ashland, Westborough, or Sudbury, your attorney may assist with a custom template. Our Framingham car accident attorneys have a specific wage and salary verification form that we use for our clients when needing to document our client’s lost wages.

As additional support, you may also need to show proof of your pre-accident earnings. For most employees, this means submitting recent tax returns, pay stubs, W-2s, or a letter from your employer’s HR department. If you are self-employed, the process is a bit more involved. You may need to provide tax returns, 1099 forms, invoices, bank statements, or a profit and loss statement to establish a reliable income baseline.

Once you’ve gathered this information, calculate your wage loss accurately. For hourly workers, multiply your hourly rate by the number of hours missed. For salaried employees, determine your weekly or daily earnings based on your annual salary. Self-employed individuals should use a reasonable average of their income before the accident. If your injuries are likely to impact future earnings, consider gathering evidence like reduced hours, canceled contracts, or letters from your employer noting job limitations.

Best Practices for a Strong Lost Wage Claim

It’s important to stay organized throughout this process. Keep copies of all documents submitted to your insurer, including medical notes, wage verification forms, and pay stubs. Submit everything as early as possible. Insurers are required to pay claims within a “prompt and reasonable” time once they receive proper documentation, so the sooner you file, the sooner you may receive compensation.

When seeking the 75% of lost wages from PIP, prompt action is necessary. As stated above, PIP carries a maximum of $8,000 in benefits. The $8,000 of PIP benefits covers both medical bills, 75% of lost wages, and replacement services. In some cases, the PIP benefits may be completely exhausted by paying medical bills – this is especially the case where someone was transported by ambulance and had substantial treatment at the emergency room. Medical bills are very expensive. If PIP pays the medical bills first, there may be no PIP benefits left for lost wages. Sure, you can seek to be compensated for lost wages in your bodily injury claim. However, the reimbursement for lost wages won’t be recovered until you have reached a settlement with the other driver’s auto insurance company.

Finally, consider speaking with a personal injury attorney. An experienced Massachusetts car accident lawyer can help ensure your paperwork is complete and submitted properly, prevent missteps that could hurt your case, and fight for full compensation if your wage loss claim is undervalued or denied.

Final Thoughts on Documenting Lost Wages

Losing wages after a car accident is stressful enough without having to fight for compensation. Fortunately, Massachusetts law provides strong protections for accident victims—but only if you document your losses clearly and completely. From getting medical proof to verifying your income, taking a proactive, organized approach can make all the difference. If you’re unsure how to navigate the process or feel overwhelmed, our Framingham personal injury lawyers can be invaluable in getting the compensation you deserve.

Speak to a Massachusetts Car Accident Lawyer Today

If you’ve missed time from work after an accident, don’t leave money on the table. Our legal team has helped injured clients throughout Framingham, Boston, Worcester, and towns across the Metrowest region recover the full compensation they deserve.

Let us guide you through the process of documenting and proving your lost wages—and ensure you’re not short-changed by insurance companies.

For a free confidential consultation call (508) 879-3500 or contact us online today.