Lost Wages Calculator
Estimate lost wages for personal injury, workers' compensation, or employment disputes based on your pay rate and time missed from work.
Formulas Used
Effective Daily Rate (Hourly):
Daily Rate = Hourly Rate × (Hours Per Week ÷ Work Days Per Week)
Effective Daily Rate (Salary):
Daily Rate = Annual Salary ÷ (Work Days Per Week × 52)
Base Lost Wages:
Base Lost Wages = Daily Rate × Days Missed
Lost Overtime Pay:
Lost Overtime = OT Hours/Week × Hourly Rate × OT Multiplier × (Days Missed ÷ Work Days Per Week)
Lost Benefits (Prorated):
Lost Benefits = (Annual Benefits ÷ 365) × (Days Missed × 7 ÷ Work Days Per Week)
Total Lost Wages:
Total = Base Lost Wages + Lost Overtime + Lost Benefits
Assumptions & References
- Calculations are based on gross (pre-tax) wages; net take-home pay will be lower depending on federal, state, and local tax obligations.
- Overtime is calculated at the selected multiplier (default 1.5×) per the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), 29 U.S.C. § 207, which requires 1.5× pay for hours over 40/week for covered employees.
- Annual salary is divided by Work Days Per Week × 52 weeks to derive a daily rate, consistent with standard payroll practice.
- Lost benefits are prorated over calendar days missed, converted from work days using the selected work schedule.
- This calculator does not account for: future lost earning capacity, raises or promotions, bonuses, commissions, tips, pension contributions, or Social Security/Medicare impacts.
- Workers' compensation claims may use state-specific formulas; consult your state's workers' comp board for exact rates (e.g., typically 2/3 of average weekly wage up to a state maximum).
- For personal injury claims, courts may also consider hedonic damages and expert economic testimony — this tool provides a baseline estimate only.
- Reference: Restatement (Second) of Torts § 924 (lost earning capacity); FLSA 29 C.F.R. Part 778 (overtime computation).
- This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult a licensed attorney for case-specific guidance.