Understanding Pain and Suffering: How It’s Actually Calculated
After an accident, most people understand that they can recover money for medical bills, lost income, and property damage. But one category of compensation remains confusing—even though it often makes up the largest portion of a personal injury settlement: Pain and suffering. Insurance companies rarely explain how they value this part of a claim. Adjusters are trained to minimize it. Victims are often left wondering whether their daily pain, emotional trauma, or loss of normal life will truly be recognized. In California, pain and suffering is legally known as non-economic damages, and there are clear principles guiding how it is evaluated—even though there’s no exact formula. [...]















