What to Know About Non-Economic Damages in a Personal Injury Case
If you are seriously injured in an accident, you might be entitled to damages from a liable party. Damages may include both economic and non-economic losses, such as pain and suffering. Calculating pain and suffering, however, can be challenging without the help of an attorney.
At Levin & Nalbandyan, we represent individuals who have been seriously injured due to another person’s wrongdoing. We fight to ensure our clients receive the maximum recovery allowed by California law, including compensation for pain and suffering. If you have been injured in an accident, contact our office at (213) 232-4848 to schedule a free consultation.
What Is Pain and Suffering in a Personal Injury Case?
Pain and suffering are a type of damage allowed in some personal injury cases. Unlike economic damages like medical bills and lost wages, which are easily calculated, pain and suffering are more challenging to determine.
Pain and suffering are considered non-economic damages and may include compensation for:
- Physical pain
- Emotional distress
- Loss of comfort
- Loss of happiness
- Inconvenience
- Impairment
- Mental suffering
California is one of many states that allow personal injury victims to seek damages for pain and suffering. However, they are generally not automatically awarded. Unrepresented injury victims may find it hard to prove and receive non-economic damages of this nature.
How Are Pain and Suffering Calculated?
There is no set method for calculating pain and suffering. In some cases, a multiplier method may be used where a person’s economic damages are multiplied by a number based on how severely they were injured.
Factors that may be considered when calculating pain and suffering:
- The severity of your injuries
- The impact on your life
- The actions of the party or parties responsible for your injuries
- The length of time it will take for you to recover
- If you were permanently disabled or disfigured
- The type of care and treatment you will need
- The impact on your mental and physical health
A lawyer can help you understand how to calculate pain and suffering in a personal injury case. Without the help of an attorney, you may not receive compensation for non-economic damages, as they can be more challenging to prove than out-of-pocket costs.
How Do I Prove Pain and Suffering?
Proving pain and suffering is not always easy. You will need to show the extent of the harm that was done to you as a result of the accident. Medical records, expert testimony, and evidence about the impact on your daily life can all be used to help prove your damages.
Were You Injured in an Accident? Contact Our Office.
If you were seriously injured in an accident, you might be entitled to compensation for your economic and noneconomic damages. Non-economic damages may include things like your pain and suffering.
Contact our office at (213) 232-4848 to schedule a free consultation. There are no fees unless we win. Call now to speak directly with a personal injury lawyer. Let us help you get the recovery you deserve. Case evaluations are provided without obligation to retain our services.
