What Is Pain and Suffering Compensation in Utah?

In a Utah personal injury lawsuit, you have the right to recover damages for every way that an accident has affected you. While medical bills and lost wages represent the tangible, calculable costs of an injury, pain and suffering address the intangible but very real impact that an accident has on your daily life, emotional well-being, and physical health. Calculating this form of compensation can be complex, but a St. George personal injury lawyer can help. 

Common Types of Pain and Suffering Damages

Your injury can affect every aspect of your life, from your ability to enjoy activities you once loved to your relationships with family and friends. Pain and suffering damages encompass both the physical discomfort you experience and the emotional toll the accident takes on your mental health.

Common examples of pain and suffering damages include:

• Physical pain and discomfort, including both immediate pain from your injuries and chronic pain that may develop over time
• Disfigurement and scarring, which can cause lasting emotional distress and affect how you see yourself and interact with others
• Physical limitations and disabilities that prevent you from participating in activities you once enjoyed or performing daily tasks independently
• Loss of enjoyment of life, or the inability to find pleasure in hobbies, sports, social activities, or other aspects of life that once brought you happiness
• Emotional trauma, like fear, anxiety, flashbacks, nightmares, or panic attacks triggered by memories of the accident
• Mental anguish, or the deep sadness, depression, hopelessness, or persistent negative thoughts that develop following your injury
• The strain on relationships with your spouse, family, or friends due to your changed circumstances

How Pain and Suffering Awards Are Calculated

Utah courts use two primary methods to calculate pain and suffering damages. The multiplier method takes your economic damages (such as medical bills and lost wages) and multiplies them by a factor typically between 1.5 and 5, depending on the severity of your injuries. For example, if your medical bills total $20,000 and the court applies a multiplier of 3, your pain and suffering award would be $60,000.

The per diem method assigns a daily dollar amount to your pain and suffering, then multiplies that by the number of days you have been affected. If the court determines your daily suffering is worth $200 and you have experienced pain for 300 days, your award would be $60,000. The daily amount often correlates with your daily earnings.

Are There Limits on Pain and Suffering Damages in Utah?

Utah takes a favorable approach to pain and suffering compensation compared to some other states. There is no cap on non-economic damages in most personal injury cases, meaning your award can reflect the true extent of your suffering without artificial limits. However, Utah does impose a $450,000 cap on pain and suffering damages in medical malpractice cases.

Get Help Valuing Your Pain and Suffering Claim

Your physical pain and emotional anguish deserve recognition and compensation, but calculating these intangible losses can be complex. At We Win Injury Law, we have helped countless Utah injury victims secure fair pain and suffering awards by presenting compelling evidence of how their injuries have truly impacted their lives. The value of your suffering goes far beyond medical bills, and we make sure juries see the complete picture of your losses. Contact us at (435) 688-9558 today to learn how we can help you pursue the full compensation you deserve.