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Pain and Suffering Settlement Examples: Understanding How Compensation Works

pain and suffering settlement examples

When you suffer an injury due to the negligence or wrongdoing of another person, you may be entitled to compensation for the pain and suffering you experienced. Compensation for pain and suffering is included with any reimbursement for medical bills or lost wages.

However, determining what you can expect to receive for pain and suffering can be challenging. In this article, we’ll explore pain and suffering settlement examples and how compensation is calculated.

At Pickford Law, we understand how challenging life after an accident can be. That’s why we’re here to help you file your claim, deal with insurance companies, and get fair compensation for your damages. We’ll handle all the hard work, so you don’t have to.

Contact a Memphis personal injury lawyer today to get started on your claim.

Understanding Pain and Suffering

Pain and suffering refer to the physical and emotional distress you experience as a result of an injury. It includes the pain, discomfort, and inconvenience you experienced during your recovery, as well as any ongoing limitations on your quality of life.

Pain and suffering are not easily quantifiable, which is why there is no definitive method for calculating compensation. Thankfully, an attorney can help calculate your damages to ensure you receive fair compensation for your pain and suffering.

Factors That Affect Pain and Suffering Settlements

Several factors determine the value of pain and suffering settlements.

Here are some examples:

  • Severity of the injury— The more severe the injury, the higher the settlement. Injuries that cause permanent damage or disability will result in larger settlements.
  • Length of recovery — The length of time it takes to recover also affects the settlement amount. Injuries that take longer to heal will result in larger settlements.
  • Lost wages — If you missed work due to your injury, you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages. The amount of lost wages you experienced will be factored into your settlement.
  • Emotional distress — Emotional distress, such as anxiety, depression, or PTSD, can also affect your settlement amount.
  • Loss of consortium — If your relationships are negatively affected by your injury, you can seek compensation for loss of consortium.

Pain and Suffering Settlement Examples

The following are examples of pain and suffering settlements that could be awarded in various personal injury cases.

Car Accidents

In a car accident case, the plaintiff was hit from behind by a negligent driver. As a result, the plaintiff suffered from whiplash and neck and back pain. The plaintiff received a settlement of $50,000 for pain and suffering.

Medical Malpractice

In a medical malpractice case, the plaintiff underwent surgery to remove a tumor. However, the surgeon left a surgical instrument inside the plaintiff’s body. The plaintiff suffered from ongoing pain and discomfort and required additional surgery to remove the instrument. The plaintiff received a settlement of $1.5 million for pain and suffering.

Slip and Fall

In a slip and fall case, the plaintiff slipped on a wet floor in a grocery store and suffered a broken ankle. The plaintiff experienced ongoing pain and discomfort and was unable to work for several months. The plaintiff received a settlement of $100,000 for pain and suffering.

Note that every case is different. If you’d like an estimate of much compensation you might receive for your pain and suffering, a Memphis personal injury attorney can help you.

How Pain and Suffering Compensation is Calculated

Pain and suffering compensation is determined on a case-by-case basis. There is no definitive method for calculating compensation, but there are some guidelines that lawyers and insurance companies use.

Multiplier Method

The multiplier method is a common way to calculate pain and suffering compensation. The method involves multiplying the economic damages (such as medical bills and lost wages) by a multiplier that ranges from 1.5 to 5. The more severe the injury, the higher the multiplier.

Per Diem Method

The per diem method involves assigning a daily value to the pain and suffering experienced by the plaintiff. This daily value is then multiplied by the number of days the plaintiff experienced pain and suffering.

Your personal injury lawyer will use these methods to calculate how much your pain and suffering are worth, so you won’t have to.

Contact Pickford Law Today

Working with a personal injury attorney will help you ensure you are fully compensated for your pain and suffering.

If you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence, contact Pickford Law today. Our experienced team of attorneys will fight for your rights and ensure you get the best possible settlement.

Don’t wait, contact us now and get the justice you deserve. Schedule a free case review today.

Author Bio

Shalondra Grandberry Pickford

Shalondra Grandberry Pickford is a highly skilled attorney and the founder of Pickford Law. Her legal practice is committed to representing clients on various legal matters, including social security disability, veterans’ disability, estate planning, and personal injury. With over ten years of experience in law and a license to practice in Tennessee and Arkansas, Shalondra is committed to providing personalized and effective legal representation to each client.

Shalondra received her Juris Doctorate from The University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law and is a member of the Tennessee and Arkansas State Bar Associations. She has received numerous accolades for her work, including the exclusive Rising Stars award from Super Lawyers in 2017 and again in 2022.

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