Pain and suffering damages compensate you for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by your injuries, losses that don’t come with a receipt but are very real. South Carolina law allows injury victims to recover these non-economic damages, and they can often represent the largest portion of a personal injury settlement or verdict. Non-economic damages are calculated by insurance companies and courts using either the multiplier method (economic damages multiplied by 1.5 to 5, based on injury severity) or the per diem method (a daily value for suffering). Factors influencing the amount include injury severity/permanence, life impact, age, and liability clarity. An experienced attorney can prevent undervaluation.