How can I calculate the value of my pain and suffering?
In Virginia, calculating the value of your pain and suffering can be difficult, especially if you are not familiar with personal injury law. The general principle in Virginia is that non-economic damages (such as pain and suffering) should not be awarded as a lump sum. Instead, it should be calculated as a multiple of the economic damages that you have suffered. For example, if you have medical bills, lost wages, and other out-of-pocket expenses totaling $10,000, the court may award you three times this amount ($30,000) in non-economic damages for pain and suffering. This is called the "multiplier method." Alternatively, the court may use the "per diem" method, which awards a set amount for each day that you have been in pain and suffering. For example, in Virginia, the court has determined that $200 is an appropriate amount for a person to be paid for each day of personal injury pain and suffering. So if you have been suffering for fifteen days, you might be awarded $3,000 in non-economic damages for pain and suffering. Both of these methods are used in Virginia to calculate the value of your pain and suffering, so it is important to speak to an experienced personal injury lawyer in order to determine which method is best for you. They can help you determine the amount that should be awarded for your pain and suffering, and fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
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