Common Reasons for Pain and Suffering Compensation

When you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence, the physical injuries and financial burden can be overwhelming. But there’s another type of damage that often goes unnoticed: pain and suffering. These non-economic damages are just as real and devastating as medical bills or lost wages, and you deserve fair compensation for them.

Different Types of Pain and Suffering Damages

Pain and suffering include a wide range of physical, emotional, and psychological hardships that can have a major impact on your life. Some of the most common types include:

• Emotional Distress: The trauma of an accident can leave you feeling anxious, fearful, and even depressed. You may struggle with mood swings, irritability, or difficulty sleeping.
• Chronic Pain: Some injuries result in persistent, debilitating pain that can last for months or even years. This constant discomfort can make it hard to work, enjoy hobbies, or spend time with loved ones.
• Permanent Disability: If your injuries have left you with a permanent impairment, such as paralysis or loss of a limb, you may need to adapt to a whole new way of life. This can be incredibly challenging both physically and emotionally.
• Depression, PTSD, and Other Mental Health Conditions: The psychological impact of an accident can be just as severe as the physical injuries. You may develop depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or other mental health issues that require treatment and cause ongoing distress.
• Loss of Quality or Enjoyment of Life: Even if you recover from your injuries, you may find that your quality of life has been diminished. You may no longer be able to participate in activities you once enjoyed or spend quality time with friends and family.

How Pain and Suffering Damages Are Valued

Calculating pain and suffering damages can be complex, as they are subjective and vary from case to case. Insurance companies and legal professionals typically consider several factors when determining the value of a pain and suffering award, such as the severity of your injuries, the impact on your daily life, and the length of your recovery.

There are two common methods that these professionals use to estimate these damages: the multiplier method and the per diem approach. The multiplier method takes your economic damages (such as medical bills and lost wages) and multiplies them by a number, usually between 1.5 and 5, based on the severity of your injuries. For example, if you sustain $10,000 in economic damages and have a multiplier of 2, your pain and suffering award would be $20,000.

The per diem method assigns a daily dollar value to your pain and suffering from the date of the accident until you reach maximum medical improvement. For example, say that you do not reach maximum medical improvement until 90 days after the accident. If your daily dollar value is $200, your pain and suffering award would equal $18,000.

Trust a California Personal Injury Attorney to Help Recover Fair Compensation

To secure fair compensation for your pain and suffering, you need an attorney on your side. Navigating the legal system and negotiating with insurance companies can be daunting, especially while you are recovering from a serious injury. 

Your lawyer will work to gather evidence, calculate your damages, and guide you through every step of the legal process so that you can focus on healing and recovery. Contact a San Francisco car accident attorney to discuss your case and begin your legal journey today.