If you were forced to use accrued paid time off (PTO) to cover your absence, you likely still have a valid claim for lost income. The law generally views this as you using a valuable employment benefit to replace your lost wages. You are essentially losing the future use of those days. Document the number of PTO hours used. The value of those used hours can often be included in your claim for financial losses.

You can negotiate yourself for very clear, minor claims with small medical bills. However, for any claim involving significant injury, ongoing treatment, disputed fault, or complex issues, hire a lawyer. An experienced lawyer understands the true value of your claim, handles all communication, and knows negotiation tactics you don’t. They work to maximize your settlement, often securing far more money than you could alone, even after their fee.

In most states, you can still recover compensation even if you were partially to blame, but your award will be reduced by your percentage of fault. This is called “comparative negligence.“ For example, if you are found 20% at fault and your total damages are $100,000, you would receive $80,000. An attorney can argue to minimize your assigned fault percentage. A few states bar recovery if you are 50% or 51% at fault, so local laws are critical.