When you suffer non-economic damages due to an injury, you can sue for that pain and suffering. The exact amount our lawyers request on your behalf depends on your unique experience and injuries, so we need to learn more about your intangible damages to calculate them.

Arizona doesn’t limit how much plaintiffs can get for pain and suffering damages in personal injury lawsuits. We can estimate your deserved compensation using one of two calculation methods, based on the severity of the injury and the intensity of your treatment. Non-economic damages aren’t capped, but they also aren’t guaranteed, and your testimony may be the best evidence of pain and suffering.

For a free case assessment from Phoenix Accident and Injury Law Firm, call our Arizona personal injury lawyers at (480) 428-0816.

How Much Can You Recover for Pain and Suffering in Arizona?

Arizona doesn’t limit compensation for non-economic damages from a personal injury, such as mental suffering, physical pain, and emotional distress. Because of the no cap on damages, you may get a sizeable amount just for your pain and suffering alone.

Non-economic damages are subjective, so we need to understand your personal experience to determine their value. Victims often underestimate their non-economic damages and may not receive adequate compensation for these losses if they accept an initial settlement.

You may get more for pain and suffering by going to court and letting a jury decide the defendant’s liability and award compensation, though that is not guaranteed.

How Do You Calculate Pain and Suffering?

Our lawyers use two methods to calculate pain and suffering damages for personal injury plaintiffs in Arizona: the per diem method and the multiplier method.

Per Diem Method

The per diem method assesses your daily pain and suffering from an injury. We can assign a daily dollar rate to your non-economic damages, based in part on your pre-injury wages. Once we have identified an appropriate daily rate, it is multiplied by the number of days you have experienced and will experience pain and suffering.

Multiplier Method

When we use the multiplier method to determine the amount to sue for pain and suffering, we start by choosing a multiplier between 1.5 and 5 that reflects the severity of the injury. After we have the multiplier, we can apply that to your total economic damages, and the result will be what we seek for pain and suffering.

What Factors Influence How Much You Can Sue for Pain and Suffering?

Pain and suffering are subjective, so many factors influence how much you can sue for non-economic damages and how much a jury might award if you go to trial.

Severity of Injury

More severe injuries are more painful, require more medical treatments, and can be more emotionally distressing and isolating for victims. The more serious or disfiguring an injury is, the greater the victim’s non-economic damages may be.

Length of Physical Recovery

The length of your physical recovery can affect pain and suffering damages, as having to attend constant doctor appointments, get countless treatments, and take daily medications can be very mentally and emotionally draining for victims, especially if they cannot work or engage in other normal habits while they physically recover.

Emotional Distress and Trauma

It’s normal for victims to develop depression, anxiety, and even post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms after sustaining a serious injury in a chaotic accident. Be honest with us about your mental and emotional struggles, and consider seeing a therapist to help document them.

Medical Evidence and Expert Statements

Medical evidence and expert statements can also influence how much you get for non-economic damages. X-rays, MRIs, diagnostic reports, and other medical records prove the seriousness of your physical injury and the sheer amount of medical treatment you received, which can speak to your pain and suffering. Experts can testify to and confirm the severity of the injury and may describe its long-term mental and emotional effects.

FAQs About Suing for Pain and Suffering in Arizona

Do You Have to Go to Court to Get Pain and Suffering Damages?

You do not necessarily have to go to court to recover pain and suffering damages, as our Phoenix personal injury lawyers may leverage strong evidence to secure sufficient non-economic damages through a settlement agreement.

Are Pain and Suffering Damages Guaranteed in a Lawsuit?

Pain and suffering damages are not guaranteed in a lawsuit, even if you have suffered terrible injuries and believe your intangible damages are obvious. We must still prove them to the jury or convince the defendant to pay them in a settlement.

Will You Have to Testify to Get Pain and Suffering Damages?

Your testimony may be our best evidence of your pain and suffering, since you know your non-economic damages better than anyone else. We will prepare you in advance to testify so that you feel ready and confident on the stand.

How Much Time Do You Have to Sue for Pain and Suffering in Arizona?

You likely have two years to sue for pain and suffering and other damages from a personal injury in Arizona.

Do You Need an Attorney to Sue for Pain and Suffering?

You risk underestimating your non-economic damages and failing to prove them if you sue for pain and suffering without the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer.

How Much Total Compensation Can You Sue For?

Arizona also doesn’t impose limits on economic damages. With no statutory caps in place, we may sue for all the compensatory damages you incurred due to negligence.

Do You Need Expert Statements to Sue for Pain and Suffering?

Expert statements help us prove a plaintiff’s pain and suffering. Expert testimony can confirm a diagnosis of anxiety, depression, or PTSD, and corroborate your personal testimony describing non-economic damages.

Reach Out to Us for Help with Your Injury Case in Arizona

Call Phoenix Accident and Injury Law Firm at (480) 428-0816 to discuss your case for free with our Peoria, AZ personal injury lawyers.