(Please note: the names and locations of all parties have been changed to protect the confidentiality of the participants in this brain injury/automobile accident case and its proceedings.)
SUMMARY OF PLAINTIFF’S LOSS OF EARNINGS
At the time of the accident, Ms. Smith was working with LexisNexis. She initially took some time off from work after the car accident and then was able to return to work but at a lighter reduced schedule. Some difficulties arose at work with her inability to work full-time and her ongoing disability. As a result, Ms. Smith suffered additional ongoing stress from work environment.
Ms. Smith’s pre-accident employment reviews were outstanding. She was clearly a star in the LexisNexis sales field. However, she suffered a severe inability to perform her job post-brain injury. She was eventually terminated by LexisNexis in March, 2008.
Ms. Smith is claiming loss of earnings as follows:
2006: $ 20,000.00
2007: $ 25,000.00
2008: $ 125,000.00
TOTAL: $ 170,000.00
Ms. Smith has been seen by Dean Black, a vocational rehabilitation expert. Mr. Andersen has projected a substantial loss of earnings. Comparing Ms. Smith’s pre-incident loss of earnings to her potential post-incident loss of earnings, Ms. Smith can be anticipated to suffer loss of earnings in excess of $500,000.00.
Ms. Smith is optimistic that her condition will improve and that she will be able to return to some form of active employment.
However, she continues to suffer both physically and mentally and, given the current job market, it is unlikely that she is going to be able to secure employment in the near future given her need to explain her gaps in her employment caused by the accident. With this in mind, Ms. Smith anticipates future loss of earnings in the range of $100,000.00 to $300,000.00. (See Part 5 of 5.)
For more information you are welcome to contact Sacramento personal injury lawyer, Moseley Collins.