How Much Compensation Can I Get for Pain and Suffering? 

 Posted on October 31, 2022 in Personal Injury

An unexpected fall, car crash, work injury, or another type of accident can change someone's life in the blink of an eye.  In addition to the physical pain and suffering that an individual may experience, there are also the financial burdens that come along with an accident. From medical bills to lost wages, the costs can quickly add up.

When it comes to filing a personal injury lawsuit, one of the key elements is proving damages. This includes both economic and non-economic damages, which can be difficult to quantify. In this article, we will take a closer look at how pain and suffering damages are calculated in a personal injury case.

What Are Pain and Suffering Damages?

Pain and suffering damages are a type of non-economic damage that may be awarded in a personal injury case. They are intended to compensate an individual for the physical and emotional anguish that they have experienced as a result of their injuries.

Pain and suffering damages are different from economic damages, which are intended to cover the financial costs associated with an accident, such as medical bills and lost wages from missed work. 

Illinois law allows for the recovery of non-economic damages such as:

• Pain - This includes both the physical pain that an individual experiences as well as the mental anguish that may result from their injuries.

• Suffering - Suffering can encompass a wide range of negative emotions, such as fear, anxiety, grief, and depression.

• Loss of normal life - Compensation may be awarded for the ways in which an individual's injuries have diminished the quality of their life.

• Disfigurement - This may be awarded for visible scars or other permanent physical changes that an individual has experienced as a result of their injuries.

• Disability - If someone experiences an injury that results in a long-term or permanent disability, he or she may be entitled to compensation for his or her loss of functioning.

• Loss of consortium - This may be awarded to the spouse of someone who has been injured in an accident. It is intended to compensate for the ways in which the injuries have impacted the marital relationship.

• Loss of society - In some cases, an individual's injuries may be so severe that he or she is no longer able to enjoy the company of family and friends. This can result in a loss of society damages award. Loss of society and loss of consortium may also apply to wrongful death cases.

How Are Pain and Suffering Damages Calculated?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to calculating pain and suffering damages. In most cases, the amount of damages will be based on the severity of the injuries suffered by the plaintiff. Sometimes, the person's economic damages are multiplied by a certain number to arrive at an appropriate pain and suffering award. This is commonly referred to as the "multiplier method."

Contact a Wheaton Personal Injury Lawyer 

At the Law Offices of David W. Clark, P.C.,  our experienced DuPage County personal injury attorneys help people recover the compensation they need to move forward with their lives. If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident, we can help. Contact us today for a free consultation by calling 630-665-5678.

Source:

https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/95659d58-d1eb-40f4-8d0f-64c6588a169d/30.00.pdf