Pain and suffering calculator: what is your pain worth?
Still hurting and the insurer's pain number looks low? Call for a free review.
Call about my pain figure(833) 716-6705
Our team picks up 24/7, reviews your case free, and links you to a car accident lawyer paid only if you win.
The multiplier method
A pain and suffering calculator starts from your medical bills and multiplies them. A low multiplier, 1.5, fits a strain that heals in a month. A high one, 4 or 5, fits surgery, a long recovery or a lasting limp. No law sets either number.
On $6,000 in bills, the step from a 2 to a 3 multiplier is worth $6,000.
The daily rate method
Count the days from the crash to the day your doctor released you. Pick a daily figure, often what you earn in a day. Multiply the two.
What insurance companies really do
Most large insurers run claims through software that scores your injury codes and treatment. A gap of weeks before your first doctor visit lowers the score. So does stopping therapy early.
Examples by injury
| Injury | Bills | Multiplier | Pain figure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sprained ankle, 4 weeks | $2,000 | 1.5 | $3,000 |
| Whiplash, 3 months of therapy | $6,000 | 2 | $12,000 |
| Concussion with headaches | $9,000 | 3 | $27,000 |
| Broken leg with surgery | $40,000 | 4 | $160,000 |
Pain money from a physical injury is not taxable, per the IRS and 26 U.S.C. 104.
Pain and suffering questions
What is pain and suffering?
It is the part of a claim for what the injury did to you, not what it cost. Pain, lost sleep, missed events and fear of driving all count. You prove it with records and your own notes.
How to calculate pain and suffering payout?
Two ways. Multiply your medical bills by 1.5 to 5, or multiply the days you were hurt by a daily rate, often your daily pay. Then compare the two numbers.
What is a reasonable amount for pain and suffering?
For a sprain that heals in weeks, many claims land near 1.5 to 2 times the bills. A fracture with surgery and months of therapy can justify 4 or 5 times. Records decide where you land.
Is pain and suffering money taxed?
Not when it comes from a physical injury. The IRS says emotional distress money is tax-free when it is on account of a physical injury. See the settlement check page.
What to do now
Call about my pain figure(833) 716-6705
Our team picks up 24/7, reviews your case free, and links you to a car accident lawyer paid only if you win.
Before you sign or answer the insurer, know whether its pain number fits your injuries. Most states give you two or three years from the crash date to sue, and signing a low settlement ends that right. Call now with your two figures and get a free review before you sign anything.