Delivering the newspaper is a classic job that is still around and provides people with ways to earn early-morning income. But if you've been involved in an accident that caused damage to your leg, then your ability to deliver the newspaper may be severely impacted. Instead of having these losses directly come out of your pocket and bank account, you can seek a settlement from the party responsible for the injury. Along with seeking compensation for your regular pay and any medical bills you may endure, a personal injury attorney can help you get compensation for a number of financial impacts directly related to your job as a newspaper delivery worker. Browse through the following four impacts and see how much they can add up in your case.
Lost Extra Earnings
During the first couple of weeks of your injury, you have limited mobility and do not have the chance to deliver newspapers at all. Along with your traditional pay, you may be losing out on a lot of extra wages. For example, it is common for newspaper delivery workers to receive tips during holidays or for the end of the year. If you're out for an extended period of time, then you may be losing out on these tips and the extra earnings. As your settlement case is getting built, you can use tip totals from previous years to help showcase your total losses.
Vehicle Costs
Before your injury, you may have delivered the newspaper in a variety of different ways. If you did it on foot or using another form of transportation like a bike, then those options may be limited when dealing with a foot injury. If you still want to deliver the newspapers, you may have to do it in a vehicle instead. Using a vehicle for your whole newspaper route can end up costing more money out of your pocket. An attorney can help seek reimbursement for these extra costs. This includes the gas you pay for, car maintenance, and general wear and tear on the vehicle. For example, when delivering newspapers, you may have to use the brakes more often. This could lead to you needing a brake change a lot sooner than expected. Receipts and repair estimates can all be used as evidence as your settlement case moves forward.
Assistant Wages
As your leg heals, you may be forced to use crutches, wear a boot, or travel in a wheelchair. Instead of giving up your newspaper delivery job, you may hire the help of a friend to get through the delivery process. When this is the case, you may have to pay the assistant extra fees that come directly from your earnings. By calculating how much you paid for helpers, an attorney can attempt to get it all back through a settlement case. Copied checks or receipts can be used as pieces of evidence in the case.
Adaptive Equipment
Along with items like crutches, there may be extra pieces of equipment that you need to purchase to help you deliver the newspapers without any problems. For example, when dealing with a leg injury, you may need to purchase a knee brace. A knee brace can help you walk for extended amounts of time without feeling extra strain or pressure on your hurt leg. You may also need other types of braces like an ankle brace. The costs of this equipment can all be added to your settlement case. By getting compensation for these items, you can return to your routine delivery options without having money taken directly from your own pocket.
Consult with an attorney, such as Charles Aaron PLC, to ensure all of your financial impacts are covered. Even the small amounts matter when adding up for a settlement case.
