Lost Wages
Calculator
Estimate lost income for personal injury, disability, wrongful termination, or any legal claim where you missed work. Enter your pay details and time missed to get a defensible estimate in minutes.
Important: This tool provides educational estimates only — not legal advice. Made For Law is not a law firm and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to any federal, state, county, or local government agency or court system. Calculator results are based on statutory formulas and publicly available fee schedules — not AI. Supporting content is AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. Results may not reflect recent legislative changes or your specific circumstances. Do not rely solely on these estimates — always verify with official sources and consult a licensed attorney before making legal or financial decisions. Full disclaimer
Calculate Your Lost Wages
Enter your pay rate, hours missed, and any benefits lost to get an instant estimate.
What Lost Wages Include
Base Pay
Salary, hourly wages, or self-employment income you would have earned.
Overtime & Bonuses
Regular overtime, scheduled bonuses, commissions, and tips.
Benefits
Health insurance premiums, retirement contributions, stock options.
Future Earning Capacity
Projected income loss from permanent impairment or disability.
How to Calculate Lost Wages
- Determine your pay rate. Use your gross (pre-tax) hourly rate or divide your annual salary by 2,080 work hours.
- Count missed hours or days. Include full days off and partial days for medical appointments or reduced capacity.
- Add overtime and bonuses. If you regularly earned overtime or were due a bonus, include the average amount.
- Value lost benefits. Add employer-paid health insurance premiums, retirement match, and other benefits.
- Consider future losses. For permanent injuries, calculate projected lost earning capacity with an economist or vocational expert.
Frequently Asked Questions
Edited and reviewed by our editorial team. Answers are general information — not legal advice.
What counts as lost wages in a legal claim?
Lost wages include your regular salary or hourly pay, overtime, bonuses, commissions, tips, and the value of lost benefits like health insurance and retirement contributions. Courts look at what you would have earned but for the injury or wrongful act.
How do I prove lost wages?
Gather pay stubs, W-2s, tax returns, and a letter from your employer confirming your pay rate and missed time. Self-employed claimants should provide profit-and-loss statements, contracts, and 1099s from prior years.
What is the difference between lost wages and lost earning capacity?
Lost wages cover income you have already missed. Lost earning capacity covers future income you will likely miss because of a permanent impairment or disability that reduces your ability to work at the same level.
Can I claim lost wages if I used sick or vacation days?
Yes. Using PTO to cover injury-related absences is a compensable loss because those days had economic value — you can no longer use them for their intended purpose.
Do I need an attorney to claim lost wages?
You can file a claim yourself, but an attorney can help maximize your recovery, especially for complex claims involving future earning capacity or employer disputes. Many personal injury attorneys work on contingency — no fee unless you win.
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