How is pain and suffering calculated?

Pain and suffering doesn't have a precise formula, but two common methods are used for estimation. The multiplier method multiplies your economic damages (medical bills, lost wages) by a number between 1.5 and 5, depending on injury severity. The per diem method assigns a daily dollar value to your suffering and multiplies it by the number of days you've suffered or will suffer. Insurance companies use these methods as starting points, but ultimately, if your case goes to trial, a jury determines the appropriate amount based on the evidence of your specific suffering. For catastrophic injuries, multipliers tend to be at the higher end of the range, and per diem calculations extend over a lifetime. The key is presenting compelling evidence of the profound, daily impact of living with a severe injury. At Kane Trial Law, we build compelling cases that fully convey our clients' pain and suffering, particularly in severe injury cases where the impact is life-altering.