In a personal injury claim, injured victims can recover damages for numerous things, both economic and non-economic. While economic damages are more straightforward, referring to the expenses associated with a victim’s injury, such as hospital visits and medication, non-economic damages like pain and suffering do not have a clear-cut price tag.
Understanding Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering includes both the physical suffering of a victim and the mental anguish caused by their injuries. For example, if you were injured in a car accident, the pain might be so bad that you cannot return to work, leading to depression. In this example, you would have both physical and mental pain, both of which are compensable.
Here is a closer look at mental and physical pain and suffering:
- Physical pain: It goes without saying that injuries are painful and can cause a victim extreme discomfort. Compensation for pain and suffering will cover both the pain a victim experienced to date, but the pain he or she will likely continue to suffer from in the future and any resulting side effects.
- Mental pain: The mental pain one experiences tends to go hand-in-hand with the physical pain as it is more of a by-product. Severe injuries, for example, can disrupt a person’s life so extensively that they experience a loss of enjoyment of life, develop anxiety, or even feel humiliated. The accident itself can also result in mental or emotional pain if the event was trauma-inducing, resulting in a loss of appetite, sexual dysfunction, and trouble sleeping. In some cases, one might even develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
How is Pain and Suffering Calculated?
There are a few different methods for calculating pain and suffering, though the one that is most commonly used is known as the multiplier method. The multiplier method will use a number between 1.5 and 4 and multiply it against the value of the injured person’s damages. Additionally, other factors might be considered, such as a doctor’s support of the victim’s claims of pain and suffering and whether or not the injured person’s testimony is consistent with the injuries. Ultimately, unlike economic damage, non-economic damages are less of an exact science, which is why it is crucial to have an experienced attorney on your side to ensure you are fairly compensated for your injuries.
Contact a Compassionate Personal Injury Attorney Today!
If you were injured in an accident caused by another party, contact Rafi Law Group for the exceptional legal services you need to obtain the compensation you deserve. Our team understands the difficulties you must be facing, which is also why we believe you should take this time to focus on your recovery while we handle your case. We provide our services on a contingency fee basis, so you will only owe us legal fees when we win your case.
Contact our law firm today at (623) 207-1555 to schedule a complimentary case review with a knowledgeable member of our team. We are available 24/7 to take your call!