What if I Lost My Job Due to an Accident or Injury in Florida? 

An accident or injury in Florida can disrupt your entire life. It’s already hard when you’re dealing with medical bills and physical pain, but losing your job on top of that can feel downright overwhelming. The good news is that if a car accident causes you to lose your job, you might be able to seek compensation for these setbacks. 

Below is a straightforward guide to the types of damages you could pursue and what they mean for you if you’ve lost your job due to injury.

Economic Damages and Diminished Earning Capacity

Economic damages cover the costs (such as medical bills) and income losses you suffer after an accident. If your injuries cause you to lose your job, your immediate lost wages and future earning potential might come into play. 

For example, you can request compensation for:

  • Past lost wages: Money you would have made if not for the accident.
  • Future earnings: If you can’t return to your old job or must take a lower-paying position, your damages can include the difference in pay.
  • Job retraining: If you need new skills to find suitable work, the expenses may be part of your claim.

Sometimes, the accident results in a diminished earning capacity—meaning you may still be able to work, but not at the same level as before. Proving this might require documentation like medical records, testimony from your doctors, or even vocational experts who can speak about your reduced work prospects.

Non-Economic Damages and Emotional Toll

In addition to economic losses, an injury can bring heavy emotional burdens. 

Non-economic damages help address these more personal harms, which could include:

  • Pain and suffering: Chronic pain, discomfort, or overall decline in your quality of life.
  • Emotional distress: Anxiety, depression, or other mental health struggles you experience due to the accident or job loss.
  • Loss of enjoyment: If your injury prevents you from doing things you once loved—like hobbies, sports, or family events.

Calculating non-economic damages can be trickier since they don’t come with a clear bill or receipt. Still, you deserve fair compensation for the emotional and psychological impacts of your accident.

How Losing Your Job Affects a Personal Injury Claim

If you’re laid off or can’t perform your duties because of your injury, that can significantly raise the value of your claim. However, insurers might try to argue that your firing was unrelated to the accident or that you’re partially to blame for not finding other work. An experienced lawyer can gather evidence showing the accident directly led to your job loss.  

Another possibility is that you were fired after the car accident for missing too many days while recovering from surgery or therapy sessions. In many cases, a thorough medical record can confirm the necessity of these absences.

Contact the Pinellas County Personal Injury Law Firm Of Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers for Help

If you’ve lost your job after an accident or injury in Florida, you may have grounds to pursue compensation for both your financial and personal losses. Economic damages can include lost wages, future earning capacity, and even job retraining costs. Non-economic damages aim to address pain, suffering, and mental stress. 

Don’t let insurers downplay the impact of your accident on your career. Consider reaching out to a knowledgeable personal injury attorney in Florida for help proving fault and calculating the full extent of your damages. By taking action, you stand a better chance of regaining financial stability and moving on with your life.

For more information, please contact the Clearwater and St. Petersburg personal injury law firm of Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers at the nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.

We serve Pinellas County and its surrounding areas:

Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers – Clearwater
1875 N Belcher Rd. STE 201,
Clearwater, FL 33765

(727) 796-8282

Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers – St. Petersburg
2560 1st Ave S,
St. Petersburg, FL 33712

(727) 349-1728