At the most basic level, the courts will take the current gross salary (not the net salary after taxes) — and multiply it by the number of years a person would typically work. For instance, a person earning $50,000 at age 35 should expect at least $1.5 million in future lost income for the 30 years they can no longer work. Additional amounts can be added based on the factors mentioned above.
Hourly workers or self-employed business owners can use tax returns to demonstrate annual earnings before the accident. Signed contracts may be used to verify work lined up before the accident that can no longer be completed due to physical and mental limitations.
It can be challenging to put a value on a person’s contribution to the household. Still, Virginia courts will consider housework like cooking, cleaning, childcare and guidance, yard maintenance, transportation, obtaining goods and services, and caregiving to other family members.
