In Washington D.C., calculating pain and suffering as part of a personal injury claim involves evaluating the emotional and physical distress caused by an injury. This does not typically have a set formula but considers both immediate impacts and long-term effects on quality of life. Understanding how this works can ensure you are able to seek fair compensation and don’t leave any money on the table.
Primary Methods of Calculating Pain and Suffering Damages
To accurately quantify pain and suffering in personal injury cases, two primary methods are widely employed: the per diem method and the multiplier method. Each approach offers a unique way to calculate these non-economic damages, essential for fair compensation.
Per Diem Method
The per diem (Latin for “per day”) method assigns a daily value to the pain and suffering a person experiences from their injuries. This daily rate is then multiplied by the number of days the victim is affected until they reach maximum recovery. The daily rate can be challenging to determine, but often, the victim’s actual daily earnings are used as a benchmark, reflecting the notion that a day of suffering is at least worth a day’s pay.
For example, if a person earning an average daily wage of $100 is involved in an accident and suffers from pain and injuries that impact their daily life for 180 days, the per diem method would calculate pain and suffering damages as 180 days x $100 = $18,000.
Multiplier Method
Alternatively, the multiplier method involves multiplying the total of your actual damages, such as medical bills and lost wages, by a number typically between 1.5 and 5. This multiplier reflects the severity and lasting impact of your injuries. More severe injuries will warrant a higher multiplier to account for the greater extent of pain and suffering.
For instance, if someone incurs $10,000 in medical costs and missed out on $5,000 of income, their actual damages would total $15,000. Assuming the injuries are moderately severe, applying a multiplier of 3 would estimate pain and suffering damages at $45,000 ($15,000 actual damages x 3).
Both methods aim to provide a tangible figure for the intangible losses of pain and suffering but require careful consideration and documentation to justify the chosen method.
Evidence Used to Prove Pain and Suffering Damages
To effectively argue for compensation for pain and suffering, presenting concrete evidence is crucial. Here’s how different types of evidence can support your claim:
Start a Pain Journal: Maintaining detailed records through a pain journal can help illustrate the extent of your suffering. Chronicling daily levels of discomfort, disruptions to normal activities, and the emotional toll can provide powerful evidence supporting your claim for damages.
Get an Evaluation/Report from Your Doctor and Therapist: Doctor statements and evaluations play a key role in supporting your claims for pain and suffering. Medical professionals can provide objective insights into the severity of your injury, the potential for long-term repercussions, and how this has or is likely to affect you emotionally.
Get Statements from Witnesses: Witness statements can corroborate how your injuries have altered your lifestyle and impacted your emotional well-being. This might include observations of your daily struggles, changes in mood, and social or recreational activities you can no longer enjoy. Witnesses who knew you before and after the incident can offer comparative insights, highlighting the extent of your suffering.
Photographs and Videos: Visual evidence of your injuries and their effects on your daily life can be particularly compelling. Photographs and videos can document the progression of your injuries, your healing process, and how they limit your activities. These visuals can provide undeniable proof of the physical pain and challenges you face, supplementing your narrative with powerful imagery.
With this evidence, you will be equipped to build a compelling personal injury claim that illustrates the full extent of your damages. For questions or help gathering evidence to file a claim, don’t hesitate to contact our Washington D.C. personal injury attorneys today to schedule a free consultation.