How is Pain and Suffering Calculated in Nevada?

A serious injury can be devastating. In addition to obvious economic damages such as medical bills and lost wages, you may experience chronic pain and emotional distress that linger a long time and have a severe impact on your life. Nevada law recognizes that fact and allows injury victims to seek compensation for that pain and suffering.

What is Pain and Suffering?

Pain and suffering can refer to both physical and emotional pain. Physical pain is one of the more common avenues to pursue, but Las Vegas personal injury attorneys have also successfully argued that victims deserve compensation for conditions such as depression caused by an accident or negligence.

Common types of pain and suffering you may be able to receive compensation for include:

• Chronic pain
• Migraines and headaches resulting from a head or neck injury
• Fatigue and loss of energy
• Inability to pursue work, hobbies, or other activities due to pain or limited mobility
• Sexual dysfunction and lack of intimacy
• Anxiety and depression
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Insomnia
• Reduced or compromised cognitive abilities

Other conditions and circumstances may also qualify, so be sure to speak to your Las Vegas personal injury attorney about anything you may be experiencing after an accident.

How is Pain and Suffering Calculated in Nevada?

Nevada law does not have a specific formula for calculating damages related to pain and suffering. Instead, Las Vegas personal injury lawyers and insurance companies use their own methods to calculate the amount. There are two main methods that are widely accepted across the industry.

One common and fairly simple way to do it is called the multiplier method. In this technique, you assign a number between one and five based on the severity of the injury, with five being the most severe. Then you add up all the economic damages such as medical bills and lost wages and multiply that sum by that number. For example, if you had $20,000 in economic damages and your injuries were rated a five, you might ask for $100,000 for pain and suffering.

Another common method is the per diem method. In this method, experts come up with a daily figure based on the impact your injury has on your everyday life. They will then multiply that number by the number of days it has taken you to recover. If your injury is not expected to fully heal, they may use other factors such as average lifespan data to come up with a total amount.

There are many other methods as well, and each insurance company, attorney, or other expert has their own preference. Ultimately, Nevada leaves the final decision up to the jury if the case proceeds to trial.

Recovering from a Personal Injury in Las Vegas

If you’ve experienced an injury due to someone else’s actions or negligence, the best thing to do is consult with a Las Vegas personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Most insurance companies offer fairly low amounts, but a good attorney can help negotiate a settlement that fairly compensates you for your injuries. If no settlement can be reached, having a good lawyer in your corner can help ensure the jury fully understands how your injury has impacted your life and show why you deserve compensation for it. Your lawyer can also help you understand your rights at every step of the process, so you can make the best decisions for your individual situation.

There are a lot of personal injury attorneys in Las Vegas, but Boyack Law Group stands out from the crowd. Our dynamic team of experienced attorneys is ready to fight for your rights after an accident or intentional injury. Contact us today if you’ve been hurt due to someone else’s actions.

Please call Las Vegas Personal Injury Attorney Bryan Boyack at the Boyack Law Group for more info on how we can help. Call now