How Injury Lawyers in Columbia Calculate Pain and Suffering
Understanding Pain and Suffering in Personal Injury Cases
After a serious accident, the financial toll goes far beyond medical bills and lost wages. Victims often experience emotional distress, anxiety, depression, or chronic pain that can dramatically impact their quality of life. These losses fall under “pain and suffering” damages, and calculating them is one of the most complex parts of a personal injury claim.
Working with an experienced injury lawyer in Columbia, SC can help ensure that these non-economic damages are properly valued and included in your case.
What Counts as Pain and Suffering?
Pain and suffering generally fall into two categories:
- Physical Pain: Ongoing discomfort, chronic conditions, surgeries, and rehabilitation challenges.
- Emotional Distress: Anxiety, depression, PTSD, loss of sleep, and diminished enjoyment of life.
A lawyer will evaluate both physical and emotional impacts when preparing a demand for compensation.
Methods Lawyers Use to Calculate Pain and Suffering
Unlike medical expenses, pain and suffering don’t come with receipts or invoices. Lawyers may use different approaches to quantify these damages, including looking at past verdicts and settlements in South Carolina to determine what similar cases have awarded for comparable injuries.
An experienced Columbia personal injury lawyer will choose the method that best fits your situation and present a compelling argument backed by evidence.
Factors That Influence the Value of Pain and Suffering
Several elements determine how much compensation you may receive:
- Severity of Injuries: Catastrophic or permanent injuries generally warrant higher compensation.
- Impact on Daily Life: Whether you can return to work, hobbies, or family activities.
- Length of Recovery: Short-term injuries are valued differently than long-term or permanent conditions.
- Psychological Effects: Emotional trauma, counseling, and medication can add weight to your claim.
- Credibility and Documentation: Detailed medical records, mental health evaluations, and witness statements strengthen your case.
Why You Need an Injury Lawyer in Columbia, SC
Insurance companies often try to downplay pain and suffering because these damages can significantly increase the value of a claim. Having a lawyer ensures:
- Your damages are fully documented and supported by expert testimony.
- You don’t accept a lowball settlement.
- The case is prepared for trial if necessary.
At Hewett & Diamaduros, our legal team is experienced in valuing non-economic damages and fighting for fair compensation for accident victims throughout South Carolina.
For more information about how we handle these cases, visit our Personal Injury and Car Accidents pages.
Final Thoughts
Calculating pain and suffering isn’t an exact science, but it’s a critical part of maximizing compensation in personal injury claims. If you or a loved one has been injured in South Carolina, don’t leave these damages up to the insurance company. Contact an experienced injury lawyer in Columbia, SC who can protect your rights and ensure every aspect of your suffering is accounted for.