In St. Louis personal injury cases, pain and suffering refers to the non-economic harm you experience after an accident. Pain and suffering covers the intangible effects of an injury, such as ongoing physical discomfort, emotional distress, lifestyle changes, loss of enjoyment, or the psychological impact of trauma. It recognizes how an accident affects your day-to-day life well beyond financial losses. So, how is pain and suffering actually calculated?
Multiplier Method
The multiplier method is a common way insurance companies and courts estimate pain and suffering in injury cases. They total up your economic damages – things with a clear dollar amount like your medical bills, medication costs, and lost income – and then multiply that figure by a number. The number, or “multiplier,” ranges from 1.5 (for minor injuries) to 5 (for very severe or permanent injuries).
For instance, if you have $50,000 in medical bills and a multiplier of 3 is applied, your pain and suffering would be valued at $150,000. What multiplier applies depends on how badly you were hurt, the length of your recovery, whether you suffered permanent disability or scarring, and how the injury affects your daily life.
Per Diem Method
Another way pain and suffering is valued is the “per diem” method, which translates to “per day.” With this approach, a dollar amount is assigned to every single day you have to live with the pain and limitations from your injury. The clock usually starts from the day of the accident or hospital treatment and continues until your doctor decides you’ve reached maximum medical recovery.
The daily amount applied sometimes equals what you earn for one day of work, though sometimes a different figure is argued to better reflect the seriousness of your injury. For example, if $200 per day is agreed on and you’re impacted for 300 days, pain and suffering could be calculated at $60,000.
Negotiation and Jury Decisions
Not all pain and suffering amounts are decided by formulas. In many cases, the final number is determined in negotiations with the insurance company. Our St. Louis personal injury attorneys gather information on how the injury disrupted your life, using medical records, prescriptions, counseling notes, and testimony from people close to you. Strong evidence can increase the amount offered.
If your case heads to trial, a jury will ultimately decide. Juries don’t use a fixed multiplier or per diem unless suggested – they make a judgment based on everything they’ve heard. They’ll listen to your story, your doctor’s testimony, expert witnesses, and coworkers or family members who can show how life has changed after the incident. They use all of that to award an amount they believe is fair compensation. This can sometimes work in your favor, but because it’s more subjective, the outcome can also be unpredictable.
Evidence Used to Prove Pain and Suffering in St. Louis, MO
Because pain and suffering don’t come with receipts or bills, proving their value requires evidence that shows how your life has been changed after an accident. This often includes:
Medical Records and Treatment Notes
Detailed notes from hospitals, doctors, physical therapists, or mental health providers help tie your pain, emotional distress, and recovery struggles directly to the incident.
Testimony from Doctors and Therapists
Medical professionals can explain your condition, the difficulties you’ll face long term, and how much your injuries have altered day-to-day living.
Journals or Personal Testimony
Victims often keep diaries or provide statements describing pain levels, limitations in daily activities, or the emotional toll since the injury.
Witness Statements from Family, Friends, or Coworkers
Those closest to you can help illustrate behavioral changes, your diminished independence, or how you’ve struggled with relationships or work since the accident.
Photos, Videos, and Other Documentation
Visual evidence of physical injuries, day-to-day challenges, or the hobbies and routines you can no longer maintain supports how dramatically your life has been affected.
Using a combination of this evidence shows the harm you’ve suffered and helps you obtain the compensation you deserve. If you or a loved one has been injured, contact us for help gathering the right evidence and building a strong case for compensation.