Recovering Lost Wages from American Family Insurance after an Accident

If you’ve been in a car crash, had a slip and fall, or suffered any type of accident through no fault of your own, you have the right to demand compensation from the negligent party. American Family Insurance, often abbreviated as AmFam, is one of the many companies that provide insurance coverage in the event of an accident. If the party that’s liable for your injuries is insured with AmFam, you may be wondering about the types of losses you can claim aside from your medical bills. Primarily, many people find themselves asking, “Does American Family Insurance have pay for your lost wages if I miss work after an accident?”

Yes, AmFam is obligated to reimburse you for missed time off at work, which you were forced to take during the recovery process from your accident. Of course, that doesn’t mean they will make it easy for you to receive the funds you are owed. The truth is, insurance agents are highly skilled in the art of denying a claim or finding ways to save the company as much money as possible.

If you are getting the runaround from American Family Insurance on your right to lost wages after an accident, contact the attorneys of Normandie Law Firm. The amount of income that’s lost after an accident can be substantial, depending on the extent of your injuries. We will take immediate action on your claim and bring you the compensation you deserve.

How can I Prove that I am Entitled to Lost Wages after an Accident?

As with any personal injury case, evidence is essential to securing the wages you’ve lost due to an injury causing accident. But many people don’t know where to start, as they are unfamiliar with the insurance claims process. We can say this based on how often we receive the following question at our law firm:

“What documentation do I have to show to get lost wages compensation from American Family Insurance?”

To make a solid case for lost wages, you will first need to establish that you needed time off from work due to the physical and mental effects of your accident. Next, you will need proof of your earnings, which are used to determine the amount of income you’ve lost. This can be done through a series of medical and financial documents, such as:

• Medical records that are associated with your accident
• Medical expert testimony – may be needed in case of serious, long-term injuries
• W-2 or some other tax form issued by your employer
• Paystubs or a proof of income letter
• Bank statements
• Previous year tax returns

The amount of lost wages you are entitled to depends on the impact of your injuries on your ability to work. While most accident victims recover fully from their accident in due time, some are not so lucky. If your accident resulted in a permanent disability or complications that limit your ability to work, you may need to ask for loss of earning potential or future lost wages. These damages can be very difficult to obtain on your own, so please give us a call and speak to a lawyer who can assist you with your claim.
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Can I get Paid for PTO that I had to Use after my Accident?

PTO, or paid time off, is an important work-related benefit that can help you maintain a steady stream of income in the event of an emergency. Unfortunately, that’s precisely the logic that insurance adjusters will use to deny you reimbursement for sick, vacation, or any other paid days that you receive through your employer.

The truth is, PTO is not something you should be forced to use due to someone else’s negligence. These should be days that are used at your discretion, for example, if you develop a serious illness. If you were forced to dip into these benefits because someone else caused your injuries, this is a loss that you have every right to recover. If the at-fault party in your accident is covered by American Family Insurance, the company must reimburse you for personal days that were used for your recovery needs.

How do I Claim Lost Wages if I’m Self-Employed?

Many of the victims we assist are self-employed workers, meaning they do not receive a consistent wage from a specific employer. So, how can an independent contractor or entrepreneur prove that they are entitled to lost income?

You can still use many of the same documents that apply to salaried workers, such as medical records, income tax returns, and bank statements. You can also use statements from payment apps like PayPal and Venmo, if applicable. Invoices, contracts, and proof of work you’ve been paid for are helpful as well. However, the evidence that’s available for your case depends on your line of work, so it’s best to seek guidance from an experienced personal injury attorney.

Why is American Family Refusing to Pay for my Lost Wages?

Sadly, it’s not uncommon for American Family to deny lost wages to accident victims, even when they’ve submitted all the necessary documents. There may be legitimate reasons as to why they’ve refused you payment, but in many cases, it’s simply a matter of greed. The more they pay you, the less profits they have, so it’s in their best interest to avoid paying a claim if at all possible.

There are many tricks insurance companies use to accomplish this goal. Arguing that you can’t be reimbursed for PTO is a common ploy, which we’ve gone over in a previous section. They may also question various parts of your medical record and claim that the accident could not have caused the injuries you have suffered. In addition, insurance adjusters are very good at exploiting an accident victim’s desperation. The result is that many claimants end up with inadequate settlements.

What are my Rights? Can I Sue American Family for Refusing to Pay for my Lost Wages?

Insurance companies have their strategies to minimize your payment, but that doesn’t mean you are at their mercy. Working with a knowledgeable attorney is the best way to secure all the payments you deserve, including the wages you’ve lost after an accident.

Sometimes, people who are in the middle of a claim contact us to ask about suing an insurance company if they are continually denied payment for their injuries. This is a last resort when all other measures have failed, but yes, you can sue American Family Insurance if they are acting in bad faith. Here are some examples of insurance bad faith that may necessitate a lawsuit:

• Denying an accident claim without a valid reason.
• Using misleading language or misinforming a victim of their legal rights.
• Not concluding an accident investigation in a reasonable amount of time.
• Refusing to negotiate in good faith – for example, consistently lowballing settlement offers without legal justification.
• Threatening to take legal action against the claimant (usually in order to pressure them into a low settlement offer).
• Discouraging the victim from speaking with a lawyer

Keep in mind that these actions have to be taken with the intent of denying you payment or paying you less than the full value of your damages. It can be quite challenging to prove intent in one of these cases, so please contact us for assistance if you have grounds for a bad faith insurance lawsuit.

Advice from an Experienced Accident Injury Attorney

No matter what type of accident you’ve had, it’s essential to seek advice from a lawyer experienced in personal injury claims against American Family. A consultation with one of our experts is completely free, and we can assist you with all your questions and concerns, including:

• How long does it take to settle these cases?
• What is the value of my accident claim?
• What other damages can I recover aside from lost wages?
• How much time do I have left to file a lawsuit?

We can also help you if you have a lawyer already, but you still have concerns about your case. You may feel that your lawyer is incompetent, or they’re too busy to give your case the attention it deserves. A second opinion from one of our attorneys can help to redirect your case and put you on the path to victory. However, our main objective is to educate you on your legal options, and there is no pressure to switch to our law firm. For legal advice on your accident claim with American Family, contact us right away to schedule a free second opinion.

Take Advantage of the Zero Fee Guarantee

You have enough to deal with when you’re trying to recover from an accident. Legal fees are the last thing you should have to worry about, which is why we’ve always worked on contingency. The Zero fee guarantee is a way to protect your finances and ensure that you pay nothing for our services. Our fees are recovered from the party you are suing, and that’s only if we win your case. If we are unsuccessful in recovering your payment, you won’t be billed for a single penny of our expenses.

The lawyers of Normandie are standing by to assist you. Please contact us at your earliest convenience.

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