How Are Pain and Suffering Calculated in a Personal Injury Case?

Personal injury attorney Grady J Flattmann, accident injury expert in Covington, LA. also serving Mandeville, Madisonville, Bogalusa, Abita Springs, Folsom, Franklinton, Hammond, Ponchatoula, and surrounding St Tammany Parish, Tangipahoa Parish, and Washington Parish
Answered by
Grady Flattmann

After a wreck, most people expect to be compensated for medical bills and car repairs. But what about the pain, stress, and disruption the accident caused in your life?

That’s where pain and suffering damages come in.  So how do insurance companies—or juries—decide what that’s worth?

What Counts as Pain and Suffering?

“Pain and suffering” refers to non-economic damages, meaning things that don’t come with a receipt. This can include:

  • Physical pain from injuries
  • Emotional distress
  • Anxiety or depression after the accident
  • Sleep problems or PTSD
  • Loss of enjoyment of daily life
  • Chronic pain or long-term limitations

In other words, it’s compensation for the impact on your life—not just your bank account.

Is There a Set Formula?

Not really.  Some insurance companies use software programs or formulas (like multiplying your medical bills by a certain number), but those methods are just starting points—not rules.

What really drives the value of a pain and suffering claim is:

  • The severity of your injuries
  • The length of your recovery
  • The impact on your work, relationships, and daily activities
  • How well your case is documented and presented

That’s where we come in.

What Can You Do to Help Your Claim?

To build a strong case for pain and suffering, we recommend a few strategies to our clients.  Things like: (1) Keeping a journal of your symptoms and limitations; (2) Following through with medical treatment; and (3) Being honest about your struggles—physical and emotional.

The more detail and documentation, the stronger your case becomes.

What You Should Remember

Pain and suffering are real—and they matter. But insurance companies aren’t going to offer fair compensation unless your claim is backed up with strong evidence and smart legal advocacy.

Call us today at (985) 590-6182 and let’s talk about how your life has been affected. We’ll fight to make sure the full impact of the wreck is recognized and compensated.

Flattmann Law serves clients on the Northshore, including Covington, Mandeville, Abita Springs, Bogalusa, Franklinton, Folsom, Madisonville, Goodbee, Hammond, Lacombe, Pearl River, and Slidell.

Schedule a free, confidential consultation with Flattmann Law today.

When you hire us, rest assured that an attorney handles your case. Your
file won’t be handed over to a junior attorney or secretary. Communication is a cornerstone of our firm.

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