How Much Can You Get for Pain and Suffering in Ohio?
If you have been injured in an accident in Ohio, you may be entitled to compensation for your pain and suffering. This type of compensation is part of the broader category of non-economic damages, which also includes emotional distress, loss of consortium, and disfigurement. Understanding how much you can get for pain and suffering in Ohio can help you navigate your personal injury claim more effectively.
At Kitrick, Lewis & Harris, our Ohio car accident and personal injury attorneys stand ready to help you pursue the pain and suffering damages you deserve. We provide personalized and compassionate service to our clients to fully represent your interests.
What Are Pain and Suffering Damages?
Pain and suffering damages are awarded to compensate for the physical pain, emotional distress, and mental anguish you experience as a result of an accident or injury. These damages are subjective and vary from case to case, depending on factors such as the severity of your injuries, the length of your recovery, and the impact on your quality of life.
Types of pain and suffering damages include, but are not limited to:
- Physical pain you suffered from your injuries
- Ongoing physical trauma
- Emotional harm
- Need for psychological treatment
- Loss of consortium with family members
- Grief after losing a loved one
Factors Considered in Calculating Pain and Suffering Damages
Several factors are taken into account when calculating pain and suffering damages in Ohio:
- Severity of Injuries: The more severe your injuries, the higher the compensation you may receive. Catastrophic injuries, life-threatening conditions, and permanent impairments typically result in higher awards.
- Length of Recovery: The duration of your recovery period can influence the amount of compensation. Longer recovery times may lead to higher damages.
- Type of Medical Treatments: The medical treatments you undergo due to your injuries can also impact the compensation. More extensive and invasive treatments may result in higher awards.
- Impact on Daily Life: The extent to which your injuries affect your ability to perform daily activities, such as bathing, grooming, dressing, and feeding can be considered.
- Emotional and Mental Distress: Emotional distress, including conditions like depression, PTSD, and anxiety can be factored into the compensation.
- Disfigurement and Scarring: Visible disfigurement and scarring can increase the amount of pain and suffering damages.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If your injuries prevent you from enjoying activities you once loved, this can be considered in the compensation.
Methods of Calculating Pain and Suffering Damages
There are two common methods used to calculate pain and suffering damages in Ohio:
- Per Diem Method: This method assigns a specific daily rate to your pain and suffering and multiplies it by the number of days you experienced the pain. The daily rate is determined based on the severity of your injuries and economic damages.
- Multiplier Method: This method multiplies your economic damages (such as medical bills and lost wages) by a factor between 1.5 and 5, depending on the seriousness of your injuries. The multiplier takes into account the severity of your pain and suffering, the length of recovery, and the impact on your overall quality of life.
The method used to calculate your damages is based on several factors. For help with your case, you should reach out to an experienced Ohio personal injury attorney.
Consult an Ohio Personal Injury Lawyer for Help with Pain and Suffering Damages
Pain and suffering damages often constitute a significant portion of your overall award. Consult an Ohio personal injury lawyer to learn how your case could entitle you to a large settlement or jury verdict to help compensate for your pain and suffering.
Our team at Kitrick, Lewis & Harris have decades of experience representing injury victims throughout Ohio. Contact us today for a consultation of your case.
