It can be quite difficult when dealing with a personal injury, to figure out the cost of your troubles. Calculating pain and suffering can be tricky, but when it comes to your case, it’s entirely necessary. But how do you calculate the amount of time spent in pain, discomfort, and out of work? Yes, it can be quite tricky sometimes. But it’s part of the process for you to receive rightful compensation. So, where do you start? And what does ‘pain and suffering’ entail?
Calculating Pain and Suffering: What Does It Mean?
In personal injury cases, pain and suffering is a term that applies to many issues that can stem from your injury. By using this term, we can cover these issues and list them under damages you suffered from the injury. Since this is a blanket term, it can apply to many issues that can be temporary or permanent. For example, this term can apply to physical pain and discomfort. Likewise, it can apply to emotional distress and psychological trauma.
Since all of these issues can result from your injury and affect your quality of life, you can claim pain and suffering as damages in your case. But in order to be able to do that, you must find a means of calculating pain and suffering. Unlike things like medical bills and lost wages, pain and suffering does not come with a verified dollar amount. So, let’s figure it out.
Tallying the numbers
Multiplier method. One way to calculate pain and suffering is by using the multiplier method. With this method, you add the cost of your medical bills and lost wages. After adding these, you multiply the total by a number between 1.5 and 5. These numbers serve as a scale for your injury. For example, 1.5 is minor injuries, 2 and 3 are moderate injuries. Furthermore, 4 and 5 are significant and permanent injuries.
Per diem method. This method simply allows you to set a daily rate. In that case, you will base this rate on the physical and emotional pain and limitation you are experiencing each day. For the most part, you will only use this method from an injury you will recover from relatively quickly.
Using previous cases. In cases of permanent injury, it can be a good idea to use past cases as a reference. By that, you can review similar cases and their settlements. Therefore, you may be able to set your pain and suffering compensation according to previous injuries of the same nature.
While it can be difficult to numerate, compensation for pain and suffering is entirely necessary
Your time is valuable, and spending it at home, laid up, and in pain can keep you from doing the things you need, and want, to do. So, take time time— do the work, and receive proper compensation. Plus, if you need help, there are plenty of professionals out there who are willing to put in a portion of the work for you. We wish you luck as you march forward with your case!