Claims Settlement Value Estimator
Estimates the fair settlement value of an insurance claim based on medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and comparative fault percentage.
1 = minor injury, 5 = severe/permanent injury
Comparative negligence reduction applied to final value
Formula
Economic (Special) Damages:
Economic = Medicalpast + Medicalfuture + Wagespast + Wagesfuture + Property Damage
Non-Economic (General) Damages — Multiplier Method:
Pain & Suffering = (Medicalpast + Medicalfuture + Wagespast + Wagesfuture) × Multiplier
Gross Settlement Value:
Gross = Economic + Pain & Suffering
Comparative Negligence Reduction:
Reduction = Gross × (Fault% ÷ 100)
Net Estimated Settlement Value:
Net = Gross × (1 − Fault% ÷ 100)
Assumptions & References
- Uses the Multiplier Method (most widely used by U.S. insurers and attorneys) to calculate pain and suffering damages. The multiplier typically ranges from 1 (minor, fully healed) to 5 (severe, permanent disability).
- Applies a pure comparative fault model: the claimant's recovery is reduced proportionally by their percentage of fault, regardless of how high that percentage is.
- In contributory negligence states (AL, MD, NC, VA, DC), any claimant fault may bar recovery entirely — consult an attorney.
- In modified comparative fault states (majority of U.S.), recovery is barred if the claimant is 50% or 51% or more at fault, depending on the state.
- Future medical and wage figures should be present-value discounted for long-term claims; this calculator uses nominal (undiscounted) values for simplicity.
- Property damage is treated as a direct economic loss and is not included in the pain and suffering base.
- This estimate does not include punitive damages, wrongful death multipliers, or structured settlement adjustments.
- References: Stein on Personal Injury Damages (3rd ed.); Insurance Research Council, Paying for Auto Injuries; Jury Verdict Research benchmarks.
- This tool provides an estimate only and does not constitute legal or insurance advice.