The amount of pain and suffering damages that can be awarded in North Carolina is calculated in a few different ways.
Using a Multiplier
In general, a scale from 1 to 5 is used to measure pain and suffering. If your injuries are serious, such as an amputation, brain damage, spinal cord damage, or a disfiguring injury, you would multiply the amount of your economic losses by a greater number, such as 4 or 5. You might multiply by 1 or 2 if your wounds are less serious or are more likely to heal completely.
With the insurance provider or the defense attorney for the defendant, your attorney will negotiate the multiplier. Learn more about the multiplier method here.
Per Diem Calculation
If you’ve recovered fully (or are anticipated to), you can figure out pain and suffering damages by dividing the number of days you endured your suffering by a predetermined amount. In other words, your attorney might negotiate that you have to pay $100 per day for pain and suffering during the three months it took you to recover. Learn more about the per diem method here.