If you’re self-employed in Connecticut and unable to work after an injury, recovering lost income can be complex—but it’s possible with proper documentation and strategy.

Self-Employment and Personal Injury: What Sets It Apart

Traditional employees have a W-2, a payroll department, and clearly defined benefits. Self-employed individuals, however, must prove not just that they were injured—but also that the injury disrupted a predictable income stream.

Unlike salaried workers, self-employed individuals face unique challenges:

• Irregular income patterns
• Fewer or no formal pay stubs
• Reliance on client contracts, invoices, and projections
• Potential loss of future projects or business opportunities

Because of these differences, insurance companies may try to undervalue or deny lost income claims for freelancers, contractors, small business owners, and gig workers.

When Can You Claim Lost Wages in Connecticut?

In Connecticut, a personal injury claim may entitle you to economic damages, which includes lost income. If someone else's negligence caused your injury—such as in a car crash, slip and fall, or construction accident—you may be eligible to recover the earnings you couldn’t make due to your injury.

This includes:

• Missed workdays
• Missed business opportunities
• Canceled client contracts
• Reduced productivity due to medical limitations

You can also claim for loss of earning capacity if your injuries impact your ability to work long-term or permanently.

Proving Lost Income as a Self-Employed Individual

This is the heart of a self-employed lost wage claim: proving that you would have earned a certain amount had the injury not occurred. Since there’s no traditional paycheck to show, your claim must be backed by detailed records.

Key Documentation You’ll Need

Gathering the right evidence is essential. Common forms of proof include:

1. Prior Tax Returns

Three years of tax returns help establish your typical income patterns. This offers a credible historical view of your earnings.

2. 1099s or Client Invoices

If you receive 1099s from clients or issue invoices regularly, these documents help show what you were earning before your injury.

3. Bank Statements

Deposits from clients or customers can further illustrate your income consistency, especially if paired with invoices.

4. Contracts and Bookings

If you had upcoming projects, contracts, or bookings that were canceled due to your injury, this supports a claim for missed future earnings.

5. A Letter From a CPA

A certified accountant can provide a formal analysis of your business revenue pre- and post-injury, which adds credibility to your claim.

6. Medical Documentation

Your doctor’s notes should clearly restrict or limit your ability to work during the recovery period.

Calculating Lost Wages for the Self-Employed

Calculating lost income isn’t just about what you didn’t earn—it’s also about the type of work you missed. Were you on track to close a major client? Did an annual seasonal opportunity fall through?

Factors That May Be Considered

• Average monthly or annual income over previous years
• Profits vs. gross income (since business expenses must be subtracted)
• Growth trajectory or projected earnings
• Missed repeat clients or seasonal contracts
• Reputational harm that may impact future work

You’ll need to calculate your net income loss—this is gross income minus reasonable business expenses. If you run a business that fluctuates seasonally, it’s also important to show how the timing of the injury impacted expected income.

The Role of Expert Witnesses

In many Connecticut personal injury cases involving self-employed plaintiffs, an expert witness can make a significant difference. Economic experts or forensic accountants may be called in to validate your projections and estimates, particularly when your future earning capacity is in question.

Their testimony helps translate your financial losses into a format that’s clear and compelling to a judge or insurance adjuster.

Insurance Company Tactics to Watch For

If you’re self-employed, insurers may try to minimize your claim by arguing:

• Your income was inconsistent
• You didn’t lose any confirmed contracts
• Your injury didn’t prevent you from working
• Your business wasn’t profitable enough to justify compensation

This is why strong documentation and a proactive legal approach are essential. Avoid waiting too long to file a claim or respond to insurer requests—delays can be used against you.

Do You Need a Lawyer to File a Lost Wage Claim in CT?

While Connecticut law does not require an attorney to file a personal injury claim, self-employed individuals face steeper proof burdens than W-2 employees. A skilled personal injury lawyer can:

• Help gather and present the right documentation
• Retain economic experts to support your claim
• Negotiate with insurers who undervalue self-employment income
• File your claim within the applicable statute of limitations (usually two years in Connecticut)

Even if you're confident in your records, legal representation helps present your loss in a persuasive, organized way that maximizes your chances of full compensation.

Conclusion

Recovering lost wages after a personal injury is never simple—but when you're self-employed, the process demands even more preparation and strategy. In Connecticut, proving your financial losses requires more than just explaining what work you missed. You must back up your claim with hard data—tax returns, invoices, bank records, contracts, and expert insight.

The more clearly you can show what your income would have been, the stronger your case becomes. Whether you're a sole proprietor, freelancer, or gig worker, don’t let insurance companies undervalue the real impact of your injury. With strong documentation and legal guidance, you can build a case that gets you the compensation you deserve.

Need Legal Help? Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law is One Phone Call Away

Navigating Connecticut Personal Injury claims can be challenging. Fortunately, you don't need to do it alone. The experienced personal injury lawyers at Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, are available 24/7 to help you understand your legal options, gather necessary evidence, and build a strong case to secure the settlement you deserve.

Contact us now for a free legal review.