Washington State: What is pain and suffering? How is calculated?

If you have been injured because of someone else’s carelessness, you can usually seek compensation from the at-fault party’s insurance company, by filing what’s called a third-party claim.

After establishing that the defendant is the one responsible for your injuries (liable), you will also need to present evidence of all your losses associated with the incident. The insurance company should compensate you for your medical expenses as well as any lost wages you incur. In addition, the insurance company should provide you with some compensation for your general “pain and suffering.” Here is a description of exactly what that means: LINK