After a car accident, most people think about medical bills and lost income. But what about the pain you feel every day? The anxiety, the sleepless nights, or the hobbies you can no longer enjoy.
In California, victims have the right to seek compensation for these non-economic losses, often referred to as “pain and suffering.”
At The Law Offices of Ramtin Sadighim, our personal injury attorneus help clients understand what these damages mean, how they are calculated, and what steps to take to get the full compensation they deserve.
What Is Pain and Suffering?
Pain and suffering refers to the physical discomfort and emotional distress caused by an injury. These damages are considered non-economic because they do not have a direct financial cost, but they impact your quality of life in a very real way.
Examples of pain and suffering include:
- Chronic physical pain
- Anxiety, depression, or emotional distress
- PTSD or trauma-related symptoms
- Inability to sleep or focus
- Loss of enjoyment in daily life
- Relationship strain or loss of companionship
- Disfigurement or long-term disability
These effects can last weeks, months, or even a lifetime.
How Are Pain and Suffering Damages Calculated?
Unlike medical bills or lost wages, pain and suffering damages do not come with receipts. Instead, courts and insurance companies rely on a few methods to determine a fair value.
1. The Multiplier Method
Your economic damages, such as medical costs and lost income, are multiplied by a number that reflects the severity of your injury. Minor injuries may be multiplied by 1.5 or 2, while serious or permanent injuries could be multiplied by 4 or 5.
For example, if your medical bills and lost wages total $25,000, and your injuries are considered severe, the multiplier might be 3. Your pain and suffering damages could then be valued at $75,000.
2. The Per Diem Method
This method assigns a daily dollar amount to your suffering, then multiplies it by the number of days you experience pain. This can be useful for injuries with a clear recovery timeline.
For instance, if your daily suffering is valued at $200 and you suffer for 120 days, the pain and suffering portion of your claim could total $24,000.
Do Minor Injuries Qualify?
Yes. Even injuries that appear minor can result in significant pain, inconvenience, and emotional strain. Whiplash, for example, can affect your ability to work, sleep, or drive. If your injury has affected your daily life in any noticeable way, you may have a valid claim for non-economic damages. What matters most is how well your experience is documented.
How to Strengthen a Pain and Suffering Claim
To build a strong case, we recommend that you:
- Seek medical care immediately and follow all treatment plans
- Keep a daily journal detailing your pain, mood, and limitations
- Take note of missed activities or family events
- Save all correspondence with doctors, therapists, or insurance companies
These steps can help your injury attorney present a clear picture of how your injury has affected your life.
Don’t Always Accept the First Settlement Offer
Insurance companies often try to settle quickly, offering just enough to cover your medical bills. These offers rarely account for the full impact of your injuries. Once you accept a settlement, you give up the right to pursue additional compensation.
At the Law Offices of Ramtin Sadighim, we negotiate aggressively on behalf of our clients. We work with medical professionals, mental health experts, and financial analysts to show exactly how your life has changed and what that change is worth.
Getting Compensation for Pain and Suffering in California
Pain and suffering damages are a crucial part of personal injury compensation in California. They cover the part of the injury that no dollar amount can fully fix like your daily discomfort, emotional strain, and lost sense of normalcy.
You do not have to face this alone. Our car accident lawyers are here to help you recover everything you are owed, not just what the insurance company offers.
Ready to get the compensation you deserve?
Contact the Law Offices of Ramtin Sadighim today to schedule a free consultation. Let us protect your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Call us at 888.999.8744 or visit www.CaliAccidentAttorney.com to learn more.
Individualized care is our specialty at the Law Offices of Ramtin Sadighim. As an experienced Los Angeles personal injury attorney, Mr. Sadighim understands that every client, case, and circumstance needs a different approach for the best results.
