When you suffer a personal injury because of someone else, you can receive pain and suffering damages.
If you have suffered a personal injury due to someone else’s negligence, you deserve to be compensated for it. A personal injury can be anything from a car accident to a slip-and-fall to a dog attack. Compensation for personal injury is referred to as the damages, and you can receive damages just for pain and suffering alone. Here is what you need to know about pain and suffering damages.
What Counts as Pain and Suffering?
Of course, you receive damages for the economical part of your injuries such as any lost wages and medical bills. However, you also receive damages for the emotional injuries you may have suffered, which is the pain and suffering. For example, if you suffered some sort of permanent injury due to a car accident, you can be compensated for the fact that you will never live the same life again. Pain and suffering damages are basically given for having to endure challenges that wouldn’t be present if the personal injury never happened.
When Does Insurance Cover Pain and Suffering Damages?
If the other party was very clearly at fault for the incident, their insurance company will probably compensate some of the pain and suffering damages. However, they will likely try to give you an amount lower than what you actually deserve, so having a good attorney is a good idea to ensure you are getting the compensation you need. The insurance company takes into account how severe the injuries were, how much pain comes with those injuries, how the injuries have impacted your way of living, and the types of medical treatments you need now and in the future.
How are Pain and Suffering Damages Calculated?
It can be tricky to calculate pain and suffering damages because it’s hard to put a monetary value on emotional distress. However, there are a few ways that the damages can be calculated.
- Multiplier Method: multiply the costs of all medical bills times a multiplier (a number between 1.5 and 5). The number of the multiplier depends on the severity of the injuries.
- Per Diem: A set amount is paid for each day (determined by severity of injuries) up until the patient is either healed completely or has reached their maximum level of improvement.
As said before, determining the amount for these damages can be tricky so these aren’t the only two methods that can be used. In most states, there is a maximum limit on the amount of damages a person can receive.
Have You or a Loved One Suffered From a Personal Injury? Contact The Snyder Law Group Today
The Snyder Law Group, LLC, proudly represents clients through Maryland and Washington D.C. Our experienced Baltimore attorneys understand the frustration that comes with an insurance company, medical professional, or other party that refuses to accept liability for negligence or reckless behavior. You can take heart in knowing there are talented and experienced lawyers ready to work for you. We are experienced in handling personal injury claims that result from medical malpractice or injury resulting from serious car or truck accidents and have secured hundreds of millions in verdict settlements. Give us a call at (410)-843-3476 for a free case evaluation. You can also visit our website www.410thefirm.com and follow us on Facebook,Twitter,Google +, and LinkedIn for more information.