Blog Title: Want a Big Settlement? You Have to Show the Pain.
Let’s have an honest conversation about what really drives the value of a personal injury claim.
Yes, medical bills matter. Lost wages matter. But if you’re wondering why some injury cases settle for thousands while others get six figures (and sometimes, very rarely, more), the answer usually boils down to pain and suffering.
If you can’t show it, you probably won’t get it.
What Is “Pain and Suffering” in an Injury Case?
“Pain and suffering” is the legal term for how your injuries affected your life on a personal level. It includes:
- Physical pain
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
It’s the human side of the injury. Insurance companies don’t pay big money just because your MRI showed a bulging disc—they pay when your life actually changed because of it.
If You Act Fine, They Think You Are Fine
This is where I see a lot of injury claims lose steam. If you:
- Don’t follow up with your doctors
- Downplay your pain
- Don’t tell your providers what you’re dealing with
- Try to “tough it out” without documenting anything…
- Don’t get much treatment
- Spend more time complaining than you do getting treatment
…then the insurance company assumes you’re doing great. And great = cheap settlement.
You can’t expect to get compensated for pain and suffering if there’s no record of your pain and no evidence that you suffered.
Evidence of Pain = Power
I’m not saying you should exaggerate or make things up—absolutely not. What I am saying is that you need to document your pain honestly and consistently:
- Tell your doctor how your injury affects your sleep or work
- Let your physical therapist or other relevant provider know about your limitations and encourage them to document them
- Seek treatment if you don’t feel right
- Keep a journal if it helps you stay consistent
These records are what I use to prove your suffering to the insurance adjuster, or to a jury if it gets that far.
So What’s Your Claim Worth?
If you’re curious how injury claim values are calculated, check out this earlier post I wrote:
👉 How Much Is My Injury Case Worth?
(You’ll see—pain and suffering is a huge part of the math.)
The Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a big number, you have to be willing to talk about the hard stuff. Your injuries, your stress, your pain. It’s not just about x-rays and bills—it’s about how your life has been disrupted. And that only works if you help me document it.
I’m here to build your case. But I can’t do that if you suffer in silence.
📞 Call me if you’ve been injured and need real help building a case that tells your full story.
🖥️ jeffreyhowardlaw.com
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