‘Pain and suffering’ is the term for the physical and emotional distress you suffer as a result of a physical injury. This non-economic compensation is not about replacing financial losses. Pain and suffering doesn’t come with an itemized receipt, so it’s often up to your legal team to put a cost on the amount of pain and suffering you’ve endured. More severe injuries will often result in a higher pain and suffering compensation award. Pain and suffering factors in the extent of the injury, the impact it has on a victim’s life, and the victim’s age and general health. In many cases, pain and suffering is calculated based on the amount of economic damages.