Lawyer for Lost Wages in Riverside, CA

Have You Lost Wages as a Result of an Accident?

An injury can result in time missed from work, which in turn, leads to lost wages. Even if you have savings built up, this can mean weeks or even months of lost money, which can severely impact your ability to pay bills or even purchase essentials. If you’ve been injured as the result of someone else’s negligence, you may be eligible for lost wage compensation. Our Riverside, CA lawyer for lost wages at the Law Offices of Harlan B. Kistler is here to explain what to do and how to get the compensation you deserve.

What Are Lost Wages?

Lost wages refer to the income that you’re unable to earn due to injury, illness or another incident that prevents you from working. They include not just your regular salary or hourly wages, but also overtime, bonuses, and benefits that you would have received if you had been able to work.

How To Prove Lost Wages?

Proving lost wages typically involves providing pay stubs, tax returns, or employment contracts that show your usual earnings. In some cases, a letter from your employer detailing your pay rate, hours worked, and time lost due to injury may also be used.

Compensation as a Result of Losing Wages

If you’ve lost wages because of an injury you sustained as a result of someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. Workers’ comp can cover lost wages, but you may also be able to pursue a personal injury claim. Compensation can be based on both past losses and future losses:

• Past Losses: Past losses refer to the damages a victim has already incurred at the time of the claim or lawsuit. These can include medical expenses, lost wages, property damages, and any other costs related to the injury that have occurred from the time of the injury up to the present.
• Future Losses: Future losses are the expenses that a victim will need to pay after their legal claim or lawsuit has been filed. These can include future medical expenses, future loss of earnings or earning capacity, ongoing rehabilitation costs, and any long-term care needed due to the injury.

Necessary Attributes To File a Wage Loss Claim

In order to file a claim for lost wages in Riverside, you’ll need to ensure you have a few attributes. They include:

• Liability Bodily Injury Coverage: Injuries you got in a car accident that resulted from another driver’s negligence may be eligible for a lost wage claim. Your claim would be submitted under the at-fault driver’s insurance.
• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: If the at-fault driver does not have insurance or their insurance doesn’t cover your costs, you may be able to get your expenses covered under your uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage.
• Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Coverage: PIP insurance covers injuries you got in an accident and lost wages up to the limits of your individual policy.

How To Document Lost Wages?

When pursuing a lost wages claim, you’ll need several pieces of evidence to prove that you are losing money. To properly document your lost wages, you’ll need:

• Physician’s letter: A letter from the doctor treating your injuries, with information about the type of injury and how it keeps you from working.
• Treatments and prescriptions: You will need to offer information about the treatments you’re trying and prescriptions you are taking to recover from your injury.
• Medical expenses: Keep track of any medical expenses, including co-pays, treatment costs, prescription charges, and more. Keep your official bills and receipts as proof – it won’t be enough to just list them on a spreadsheet or on a piece of paper.
• Employer’s letter: This letter must confirm that you have missed work. If you don’t work a full-time, salaried position, you may need to share your tax return information.

How To Calculate Lost Wages?

To calculate lost wages, you will take the amount of time you missed and compare it to your pay. For example, an hourly employee would multiply the number of work hours missed due to injury by their hourly wage. A salaried employee could try dividing their yearly salary by the number of hours or by month.

How To Calculate Lost Wages if You Don’t Work on Salary

If you work irregular hours or do not work on salary, you can still calculate your lost wages. The process includes showing evidence that you missed certain appointments or obligations because of your injury. You can also use the previous year’s tax return to show how much you would have made this year.

Contact Our Lawyer for Lost Wages in Riverside Today!

If you are wondering ‘how much does workers’ comp pay for lost wages?’ or ‘When does workers’ comp start paying lost wages?’, you’re in the right place. At the Law Offices of Harlan B. Kistler, our lawyer for lost wages is committed to helping you recover the compensation you need to live your normal lifestyle. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation!

Burn Injury Lawyer in Riverside, CA

Compensation for Your Burn Injuries

An accident that results in burns of any degree can have a significant impact on your life, career, and health. At the Law Offices of Harlan B. Kistler, our burn injury lawyer understands how overwhelming a burn injury can be, and we’re here to help you get the compensation you need to get your life back on track. Read on to find out how you could be compensated for your burn injuries in Riverside, CA.

Why Do You Need a Riverside Burn Injury Attorney?

A Riverside burn injury attorney is essential if you are pursuing a personal injury claim. They specialize in the nuances and complexities of burn injury cases, which often require different expertise than general personal injury cases. The attorney’s role involves identifying responsible parties; assessing the full extent of physical, emotional, and financial damage; and pursuing just compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and potentially long-term care costs.

Causes of Burn Injuries in Riverside

Some of the most common causes of burn injuries in Riverside include:

• Auto accidents
• Workplace accidents
• Building fires
• Chemical exposure
• Scalding water
• Hot surfaces

Where Can I Go in Riverside To Treat a Burn Injury?

If you have been burned, you should immediately go to the nearest hospital emergency room. Prompt treatment is essential to minimize scarring and other complications. Once you’ve been evaluated at the hospital, you may need to be referred to a specialized burn center.

Degrees of Burn Injury

The phases of burn injuries are determined using a system of degrees. There are four main degrees of burn injury, and which degree your burns fall under will dictate what kind of treatment you need and even what kind of compensation you can pursue. The degrees are:

• First-degree: First-degree burns are only limited to the outer layer of skin, also known as the epidermis. The symptoms can include moistening or redness. Minor burns or even sunburns can be classified as first-degree burns, and they often heal quickly.
• Second-degree: Second-degree burns can be either superficial or deep. They will eliminate the outer layer of skin and penetrate the second layer, also known as the dermis. A superficial second-degree burn can have a permanent effect on your skin color or pigmentation, and you may need skin grafts if you suffer from deep second-degree burns.
• Third-degree: Third-degree burns not only destroy the epidermis, but they also eliminate the dermis and can damage the tissue beneath. Skin that suffers from a third-degree burn will become leathery and discolored. Any nerve endings in the skin affected by third-degree burns are destroyed, which is why the victim may feel no pain. Skin grafts are almost always required, as third-degree burns can have major disfiguring effects.
• Fourth-degree: Fourth-degree burns are the most serious. They penetrate below the fat level and even damage or eliminate muscle and bone tissue. Fourth-degree burns can often lead to death or amputation.

Scarring and Disfigurement

Depending on the degree of your burn injuries, you may experience scarring or disfigurement. An individual is considered disfigured if they have suffered from a permanent physical change that affects their appearance. Burn scars often lead to lower self-esteem in victims of all ages. This type of mental anguish is often considered when pursuing a burn injury settlement.

How To File a Burn Injury Claim

To file a burn injury claim, first seek immediate medical treatment and document the incident comprehensively. Speak with a burn injury attorney in Riverside, who will notify the responsible parties of your claim, compile evidence, including medical bills and proof of negligence, and negotiate with the insurance companies. If a fair settlement isn’t reached, your attorney will proceed to file a lawsuit in court.

Is There a Time Limit on Filing a Burn Injury Claim?

You have two years from the date of your injury to pursue your burn injury claim. It’s important to note that after this date has passed, you will not be able to pursue compensation, so it’s essential to contact a burn injury law firm right away.

How Is Liability Assigned in Burn Injury Cases?

Liability in burn injury cases is determined by proving negligence. This involves establishing that the defendant had a duty of care, breached that duty, and as a result, the plaintiff suffered injuries. Evidence – such as accident reports, witness testimonies, and expert opinions – can help establish liability.

What Kind of Damages Are Recoverable in Burn Injury Cases?

Recoverable damages in burn injury cases typically include economic damages, such as current and future medical expenses, lost wages, and loss of earning capacity, and non-economic damages, like pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.

What Does a Burn Injury Lawyer Do?

 A burn injury lawyer specializes in handling cases involving burn injuries. They identify liable parties, gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you in court if necessary. Their primary goal is to secure the maximum compensation possible for your injuries, lost wages, and other damages you may have suffered due to someone else’s negligence.

Why Choose Our Burn Injury Lawyer

Harlan B. Kistler has been serving the community of Riverside since 1989. He offers an aggressive representation of victims who have been wrongfully injured and are now experiencing a lower quality of life. He has represented over 2,000 victims with successful results, and he is dedicated to fighting for you with the same level of professionalism and compassion.

Contact Our Burn Injury Law Firm in Riverside Today!

If you’ve been burned and injured as a result of someone else’s actions, you deserve the best possible representation from an attorney that will fight for your rights. Contact the Law Offices of Harlan B. Kistler today for a free consultation!

The Benefits of Obamacare for Personal Injury in Riverside

Obamacare Attorney in Riverside, CA

If you require special medical care or treatment because of an injury, you may be wondering how you can cover the costs. Under Obamacare, also known as the Affordable Care Act (ACA), there are several policies in place that can make it easy for you to get the coverage or treatment that you need. Our team at the Law Offices of Harlan B. Kistler reveals how Obamacare health insurance can benefit you during a personal injury case in Riverside, CA.

Things To Know About Obamacare

There are a few things you should know about Obamacare health care, Obamacare open enrollment, and more. This piece of legislation was extremely long and complex, which can make it difficult for the average person to figure out what information is relevant and what is not.

Whether You Must Get Health Insurance or Not

First off, as a resident of California, you must have some form of health insurance by law. If you do not have health insurance and do not qualify for an approved exemption, you will be required to pay a fine when you file your 2023 taxes. There is no requirement for what type of health insurance you have, but you must have it in some capacity.

What The Available Plans Cover

Obamacare health insurance has several tiers and categories to suit your needs. Certain plans will cover things that others do not, making it essential to review all the options available to you. However, in general, most plans will cover things like preventative care, prescription coverage, inpatient and outpatient services, and mental health services in some capacity.

How Much Will Coverage Cost?

Obamacare costs can vary based on your income and the type of coverage you get. The costs of Obamacare will depend on which coverage tier you get. The tiers are:

• Platinum: covers about 90% of costs
• Gold: covers about 80% of costs
• Silver: covers about 70% of costs
• Bronze: covers about 60% of costs

You may also be able to qualify for a government subsidy to lower the cost of your premiums.

How To Sign Up for A Plan

To sign up for Obamacare, you must enroll during the enrollment period. This typically occurs towards the end of the year. For example, if you wanted coverage for 2023, you would have needed to sign up between the enrollment period of November 1, 2022, to January 31, 2023. If you qualify for special enrollment, you may be able to sign up at another point throughout the year.

How To Get Help If You Need It?

Wondering which plan is best for you, or how to even get started in the first place? If you need help signing up, you can contact an enrollment counselor through Covered California. They can explain your choices, answer questions, and help you sign up, but they cannot provide personalized recommendations. If you would like personalized advice, you will need to contact a private insurance broker.

Why You Should Choose Obamacare for Personal Injury

Prior to Obamacare, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) allowed health insurance companies to recover any money they paid out for a claim if the injured person later got a settlement from a lawsuit that covered their expenses. Now, under Obamacare, you can get an individual plan through the healthcare exchange. Obamacare does not allow insurance companies to get their money back if a victim receives a legal settlement.

How Obamacare Can Benefit You

Obamacare plans can benefit you if you are involved in a personal injury case. As we mentioned, under the ACA, your insurance company cannot try to recover medical costs they paid out if you receive monetary compensation from a lawsuit. This means, even if your insurance covered the cost of your care, any money you later receive from a lawsuit cannot be touched.

Contact Our Personal Injury Attorney in Riverside Today!

If you’ve been the victim of a personal injury and are wondering how Obamacare can help, contact the Law Offices of Harlan B. Kistler. We can discuss your options with you and help you decide if pursuing a personal injury case is the right choice for you.

Defensive Driving Tips to Help You Avoid a Car Accident

Car Accident Attorney in Riverside, CA

Thousands of car crashes occur every day across the United States. These accidents can lead to severe injuries and have huge impacts on the victim’s quality of life. While some accidents are unavoidable, there are several steps you can take to prevent them. Our legal team at the Law Offices of Harlan B. Kistler is here to share the top tips for defensive driving in Riverside, CA, and how they can help you avoid a car accident.

Be Alert

It’s easy to zone out while driving down a long stretch of highway. Unfortunately, this means your attention is compromised, and you’ll be less likely to react quickly enough if a problem occurs. For example, if you’re not alert and the driver in front of you slams their brakes, you’re much more likely to rear-end them due to your delayed reaction time.

Make Sure Safety Is Your Priority

Safety should always be your priority when driving defensively, even if you’re running late or trying to look for your destination. Our car accident attorney understands that situations like that can be stressful, but even small mistakes can pose major safety risks on the road.

Assume the Worst from Other Drivers

Even if you like to give people the benefit of the doubt, that shouldn’t apply on the road. Unfortunately, you can’t always rely on other drivers to operate their vehicles as safely as you are, and just one case of not assuming the worst from another driver can lead to an accident.

Do Not Drive While Preoccupied

Being preoccupied doesn’t necessarily mean being on your phone – it can mean eating, drinking, daydreaming, or worrying about something. All these activities can distract you from the road, even if you’re not actively looking at something else.

Follow at a Safe Distance

Tailgating is one of the main causes of rear-end accidents. When driving defensively, you should always follow the car in front of you at a safe distance – one that will give you enough time to stop if the leading vehicle brakes suddenly.

Always Have an Escape Route

You should always know how to escape a situation with heavy traffic or other stressful conditions. This can mean staying in the right lane so you can get off at the nearest exit or knowing where you can pull over safely.

Master the Art of Defensive Driving

Just like any skill, defensive driving requires practice and should be mastered for optimal safety on the road. Keep all our tips in mind whenever you get behind the wheel, and consciously practice your defensive driving skills on every trip you take.

Stay Within the Speed Limit

Speeding is, without question, one of the top causes of vehicle accidents. While it’s tempting to drive faster, especially if you’re running late, the consequences aren’t worth it. In addition to a higher chance of getting in an accident, the penalties from law enforcement are severe.

Keep to the Right

The left lane should be used for passing only. Staying to the right of the road in a multi-lane system can help you avoid reckless drivers and stick to the speed limit.

Be Careful When Turning and Passing Other Vehicles

When driving safely and defensively, you should always exercise caution and care when turning or passing another vehicle. You never know if that driver isn’t paying attention or if they are not following the rules of the road.

When Driving in Bad Weather, Avoid Utilizing Cruise Control

Cruise control is handy in certain situations but should never be used during inclement weather. It can make it harder to quickly adjust your speed, if necessary, as well as make it more difficult to stop.

Stock Your Car with the Essentials

If you do get in an accident, it’s essential to be prepared. Always have an emergency kit in your car that contains a first aid kit, road flares, water, food, jumper cables, and other useful items.

What To Do in Case of Compromised Visibility

The best thing to do when driving with compromised visibility is to avoid getting behind the wheel at all. However, there are times when this may not be possible. If you absolutely must keep driving, always keep your headlights on. Be sure to turn off your bright lights if another car is approaching.

Cut Out Distractions

Distracted driving can be just as dangerous as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Those who drive defensively keep anything that could potentially distract them out of reach. This includes phones, tablets, computers, snacks, et cetera.

Contact Our Car Accident Lawyer in Riverside Today!

If you were injured in an accident due to the actions of another driver, you may be entitled to compensation. Our Riverside car accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Harlan B. Kistler understand how a car accident can affect your life, and we’re here to help you get the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation!