If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, you may be wondering how your pain and suffering is calculated as part of a personal injury case. Read on to learn more about the multiplier method used to calculate pain and suffering and how it is evaluated in Texas.
What is Pain and Suffering?
Pain and suffering damages are intended to compensate victims for their physical and emotional trauma resulting from an injury. These damages are awarded in addition to any compensatory damages such as medical bills, lost wages, property damage, etc. It is important to understand that all damages awarded in a personal injury case are based on the evidence presented. This means that any additional compensation awarded must be backed up by proof of your physical or emotional distress caused by the accident.
Understanding the Multiplier Method
The most common way of calculating pain and suffering is known as the “multiplier method .”This involves multiplying the victim’s economic losses (medical bills, lost wages, etc.) by a number between 1-5 (1 being the lowest amount), which determines how much money should be allocated for non-economic losses such as pain and suffering. The higher amount will depend on factors such as the severity of your injuries, length of recovery time, etc.
How Is Pain and Suffering Evaluated?
In Texas personal injury cases, there are two primary ways that pain and suffering is evaluated—direct evidence or comparative value evidence. Direct evidence includes testimony from doctors or other eyewitnesses who have observed your physical or emotional distress following an accident. Comparative value evidence involves comparing your case with similar cases involving similar injuries that resulted in similar verdicts or settlements so that a fair settlement can be determined in your case. Furthermore, experienced attorneys can help victims build strong cases to ensure they receive maximum compensation for their pain and suffering due to an injury caused by another party’s negligence.
In Texas personal injury cases, understanding how your pain and suffering is calculated can make all the difference when it comes time for you to receive compensation for your losses due to an accident caused by another party’s negligence. The multiplier method used in conjunction with direct or comparative value evidence can help determine a fair settlement amount for both economic and non-economic losses resulting from an injury sustained due to someone else’s carelessness or recklessness. If you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence, consult with an experienced attorney today who can help determine what type of compensation you deserve for your pain and suffering resulting from the incident at hand.
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