Personal Injury Settlement Calculator - California

Settlements typically include economic damages (medical bills, lost wages) plus non-economic damages (pain and suffering). Pain and suffering is calculated by multiplying medical expenses by a factor of 1–5.

A number between 1 and 5 applied to your medical expenses to estimate non-economic damages. Minor injuries use 1–1.5; moderate injuries 2–3; severe or permanent injuries 4–5.

Economic damages are calculable financial losses (medical bills, lost wages). Non-economic damages compensate for pain, suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.

In most states, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are 30% at fault on a $100,000 claim, you recover $70,000.

A stricter rule in Alabama, Maryland, North Carolina, and Virginia - if you are even 1% at fault, you are completely barred from recovering any damages.

Statutes of limitations vary by state, typically 2–3 years from the date of injury. Missing this deadline bars your claim permanently.

For significant injuries, yes. Attorneys typically work on contingency (33% of recovery) and studies show represented claimants receive substantially higher settlements on average.

Minor cases may settle in 3–6 months. Complex cases involving serious injuries or disputed liability can take 1–3 years or longer.