After suffering a serious injury in an accident, you might be left with hospital bills, lost wages, and deep emotional wounds. At BANA LAW, PC, we understand how scary and overwhelming this can feel. We know that your pain is not only physical, but it can also be emotional and mental.
That is why we take our role as your California personal injury lawyers very seriously. We do not just focus on the surface issues like medical bills. We also care about your pain and suffering, which can include problems like anxiety, fear, and lost enjoyment of life. Our team is here to guide you through every step of your claim so you can get the help you deserve.
Pain and suffering is a special type of damage in personal injury cases. It covers the hurt you feel beyond just the costs of hospitals and doctors.
This includes things like:
Under California law, these types of damages are called noneconomic damages. They do not come with a clear price tag. Instead, a jury or judge decides a fair amount based on the evidence you present. Pain and suffering include both physical and emotional harm, and it is up to the jury to decide the right award.
Pain and suffering damages recognize that an injury is about more than just bills. You may have to deal with a long recovery period, nightmares about the accident, or the sadness of missing important events. Courts understand that these struggles are real.
In California, your pain and suffering award can sometimes be the largest part of your case, depending on how serious your injuries are. Our mission at BANA LAW, PC, is to show the insurance company (or a jury, if we go to trial) why you should be fairly paid for these noneconomic losses.
People experience pain and suffering in different ways. Here are just a few examples:
The key is proving how much these things affect your daily life. We help you gather medical records, expert opinions, and personal stories to paint a clear picture of your suffering.
Unlike medical bills, there is no set formula for calculating pain and suffering in California. Instead, the law tells the jury to award an amount that is “just and reasonable” based on what they have heard and seen in court. This idea comes from case law, which states that pain and suffering is a “subjective” loss, meaning it is not easy to measure with numbers.
Our California personal injury attorneys can show the impact of your pain and suffering with:
We then ask the jury or the insurance adjuster to fairly compensate you. While there is no magic equation, a strong case can help you receive a settlement or verdict that respects your losses.
Because pain and suffering are considered noneconomic damages, you are allowed to pursue them when someone else’s actions cause your injuries. In general, California leaves it to the jury to decide how much to award, guided by evidence in each case.
If you can show you will have ongoing pain or struggles, you can also recover damages for future pain and suffering. This is possible when a doctor or therapist testifies that your pain will likely continue or when the nature of your injury shows long-term effects. The law says future pain and suffering is also important because injuries do not always heal quickly.
In many wrongful death claims, families cannot seek pain and suffering damages for the deceased person unless certain legal exceptions apply. Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 377.34 explains that damages for the decedent’s pain and suffering are generally not allowed. However, survivors can often seek compensation for their own noneconomic losses, such as the loss of love and companionship.
If you have questions about how these rules apply to your case, we can help explain them. Every situation is different, and we want to make sure you understand your rights.
At BANA LAW, PC, our California personal injury attorneys believe in giving every client one-on-one attention. Our legal team gets to know you, your story, and your goals. Then, we form a plan to fight for the best outcome for you.
If you want to learn more, visit our Practice Areas page for insights on the many types of cases we handle.
If you are in Los Angeles or anywhere else in California and you think someone else’s carelessness caused your injuries, do not wait. The sooner you contact us, the sooner our team can start gathering evidence and building a strong claim for your pain and suffering.
Reach out to us 24/7 at (855) 997-6599 or fill out our online contact form. Hablamos Español.
We know how a serious injury can turn your life upside down. At BANA LAW, PC, our mission is to help piece it back together. Let us stand by your side and fight for the pain and suffering compensation you deserve. You focus on healing. We will handle the rest.
" I came to Banafshe Law Firm when I was in need and two other attorneys turned down my case! The professionalism and speed at which the team works in unmatched and I have recommended them to many others."
Michael Che
View all testimonials