What Are Pain and Suffering Damages After an Accident?
After being injured an accident, the physical injuries are often only part of what victims and their loved ones endure. The emotional, mental, and psychological toll can be just as devastating. Beyond that, the impact upon your life is often the most serious harm you have to endure – in addition to medical expenses and other economic damages.
Understanding Your Rights and How Jassim Law Can Help You Recover
California law recognizes this, which is why accident victims may be entitled to “pain and suffering damages”, also known as non-economic damages, in addition to compensation for medical bills and lost wages.
At Jassim Law, we believe that full justice means recovering for all your harms and losses — not just the ones you can see on a medical bill. Our team fights tirelessly to ensure you are fairly compensated for both your physical pain and your emotional suffering.
What Are Pain and Suffering Damages?
“Pain and suffering” refers to the non-economic damages you experience after an injury. Unlike medical expenses or property damage, which are easy to calculate, pain and suffering damages compensate you for the intangible effects of an accident — the human cost of being hurt.
These damages can include:
- Physical pain: Ongoing discomfort, chronic pain, and limitations caused by injuries.
- Physical Impairment: The limitations and restrictions you experience in your body’s functionality.
- Emotional distress: Anxiety, depression, or trauma resulting from the accident.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: Inability to participate in hobbies or activities you once loved.
- Scarring or disfigurement: The emotional and social impact of visible injuries.
- Loss of companionship or consortium: Strain on relationships due to physical or emotional limitations.
Every accident and injury is different, and so is every victim’s suffering. Courts and insurance companies look at the unique details of your case to determine the appropriate amount of compensation. However, insurance companies try to limit non-economic harms by focusing on the often artificially small cost of medical care, as opposed to the real cost the injury has upon your life.
How Pain and Suffering Damages Are Calculated
Because pain and suffering are not measurable with receipts or invoices, determining their value can be complex. Typically, attorneys and insurance adjusters use one or more of the following methods:
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The Multiplier Method
This old approach created and advanced by insurance companies attempts multiply your economic damages (such as medical bills and lost wages) by a number between 1.5 and 5, depending on the severity of your injuries.
For example, if your medical bills total $50,000 and the multiplier is 3, your pain and suffering damages could be valued at $150,000.
This approach is entirely inappropriate and unreliable. For example, your health insurance may have paid only $10,000 for a brain injury, where your non-economic damages could be worth 7 figures. Any attorney, defendant, or insurance company that applies this “multiplier” method is operating on an outdated, false, and unfair premise.
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The Per Diem Method
This method assigns a daily dollar value to your pain and suffering and multiplies it by the number of days you are expected to experience pain. For instance, $200 per day for 180 days would equal $36,000.
This method could be useful, or one way to explain non-economic harms to a jury at trial. Again, each individual’s non-economic damages are particular to their own facts and case. The person as a whole, and their life, must be taken into account to fully understand and explain the losses.
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Case-Specific Evidence
Juries and judges may also consider testimony from medical experts, therapists, friends, or family who can describe how the injury affected your life. Personal journals, photographs, and documentation of treatment can also be powerful evidence.
At Jassim Law, we take a thorough approach to documenting your suffering. We work closely with medical experts, psychologists, and your support network to present a clear and compelling picture of what you have endured — and what fair compensation should look like.
Why Pain and Suffering Damages Matter
The financial impact of an accident is only part of the story. Many victims find that the emotional consequences — fear of driving again, sleep problems, mood changes, or feeling disconnected from loved ones — can last much longer than physical injuries.
Pain and suffering damages acknowledge that recovery isn’t just about paying bills. It is about helping you rebuild your life, find closure, and regain a sense of normalcy after a traumatic event.
By pursuing these damages, you can also hold negligent parties fully accountable for the harm they caused — not just the cost of your medical care.
How Jassim Law Can Help
At Jassim Law, we are more than just personal injury attorneys — we are advocates for justice and recovery. We understand how deeply an accident can affect every aspect of your life, and we are committed to guiding you through every step of the legal process with compassion, integrity, and strength.
What sets Jassim Law apart:
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Personalized Legal Strategy
Every client’s story is unique. We take the time to listen, learn, and build a tailored approach that reflects your individual experience and goals.
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Proven Experience in Complex Injury Cases
Our team has successfully represented victims of serious car accidents, trucking collisions, motorcycle crashes, and other personal injury cases throughout California. We know how to present strong arguments for pain and suffering damages in negotiations and at trial.
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Aggressive Advocacy Against Insurance Companies
Insurance adjusters often undervalue pain and suffering, trying to settle for the lowest possible amount. We know their tactics — and we fight back. Our firm uses expert testimony, medical records, and personal impact statements to ensure your suffering is recognized and compensated.
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No Fee Unless We Win
We handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Our priority is securing justice and financial relief so you can focus on healing.
Take the First Step Toward Full Recovery
You do not have to face the aftermath of an accident alone. Whether you have been injured in a car crash, motorcycle accident, or another incident caused by someone’s negligence, Jassim Law is here to help you pursue the compensation you deserve — for both your physical injuries and the pain and suffering that followed.
Contact Jassim Law today for a free consultation. Let our experienced personal injury attorneys stand by your side and fight for the justice and peace of mind you deserve.
Act Now! Contact Jassim Law an experienced personal injury lawyer in San Diego today at (858) 524‑6140 or visit their website for a free case evaluation. With no upfront fees, strong local expertise, and a proven record.