| Injury | Typical Settlement | Multiplier |
|---|---|---|
| Soft tissue (whiplash, sprains) | $5,000–$25,000 | 1.5–2x medical |
| Broken bones | $15,000–$75,000 | 2–3x medical |
| Herniated disc | $25,000–$150,000 | 2.5–4x medical |
| Concussion / mild TBI | $20,000–$100,000 | 2–4x medical |
| Surgery required | $50,000–$250,000 | 3–4x medical |
| Permanent disability | $100,000–$1M+ | 4–5x+ medical |
| Wrongful death | $500,000–$5M+ | Varies widely |
Insurance companies use a multiplier method to calculate pain and suffering. They take your total medical bills (special damages) and multiply by a factor of 1.5 to 5 depending on injury severity. Minor injuries with full recovery get a 1.5–2x multiplier. Moderate injuries with surgery or long recovery get 2.5–4x. Permanent disability or catastrophic injury gets 4–5x or higher. Lost wages are added on top. The total is then adjusted for liability (if you share fault, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault in most states).
Your take-home is the settlement minus: attorney fees (33% pre-lawsuit, 40% if a lawsuit is filed), medical lien repayments (health insurance or Medicaid has a right to be reimbursed for treatment they paid for), and case expenses ($2,000–$10,000 for medical records, expert witnesses, filing fees). On a $100,000 settlement with a 33% attorney fee and $10,000 in liens, you take home approximately $57,000. An experienced attorney can often negotiate medical liens down by 30–50%, increasing your take-home.