The cost of an accident or injury goes beyond just medical bills and lost wages. Pain and suffering-or non-economic damages-consists of emotional distress, physical pain, and the effect on daily life in general. You may want to consider using a pain and suffering calculator, which estimates the amount of money you may be awarded based upon these damages.
This how-to guide will walk you through determining how much pain and suffering damages you could get, the factors that affect the amount of money a person gets, and how to use a calculator to get a rough idea of how much someone might get.
What are damages for pain and suffering?
from unsplash
Pain and suffering damages pay for the non-physical effects of an injury, including:
Pain and discomfort that is not temporary
Anxiety, depression and emotional pain
Not taking any further pleasure in life
Difficulties with daily activities and with personal relationships
These damages are not directly related to a fixed cost, as is the case with medical expenses, so determining them becomes somewhat subjective.
How a Pain and Suffering Calculator Can Help
From Unsplash
A pain and suffering calculator determines the amount of money that you lost. The basis of calculation is on:
How bad and how long your injury is
- Impact on work and daily life
- Emotional and mental pain
- Examples of supporting documentation include medical records and therapy notes.
- A calculator can help you:
- Know what the ranges of possible compensation are.
- Prepare yourself to speak with insurance adjusters or lawyers.
- Make smart choices about offers to settle
Ways to Figure Out Pain and Suffering
Here are two common ways to determine pain and suffering:
Multiplier Method
The total damages are the medical bills plus the lost wages times the multiplier of 1.5 to 5+.
The multiplier applied will be higher in serious or long-term injuries.
The Per Diem Method
Daily Pain Value × Number of days taken to recover
Assigns a dollar value to each day of pain and recovery.
Both of them give a range rather than an exact number, so this is something that must be discussed with a professional.
Things that Affect Pain and Suffering Damages
From Unsplash
Several factors come into play with non-economic damages, including:
How bad and long-lasting the injury is
- Effects on Emotions and Mental Health
- Age and lifestyle of the injured individual
- Comparing responsibility and fault
- Proof of degree of suffering
- When to Seek Professional Help
- A pain and suffering calculator can give you an idea of how much money you should receive, but talking to a lawyer will ensure you get what is right. People who work in law can:
- Review your therapy and medical records
- Consider the long-term effects your injury could have on you.
- Talk to insurance companies
- Get the maximum out of your non-economic damages