New Jersey Courts Reveal Pain and Suffering Calculation Methods

MAYWOOD, NJ, UNITED STATES, October 24, 2025 / — Douglas Standriff, a Certified Civil Trial Attorney and Managing Partner at Bergen Law, has revealed the calculation methods used to determine pain and suffering damages in New Jersey personal injury cases. With these new disclosures, Standriff aims to clarify the often-confusing process, as juries are awarding significantly higher amounts than in the past.

Over the years, Standriff has noticed that juries in Bergen County are now awarding pain and suffering damages that can be 3.5 to 4 times the economic damages, a significant shift that reflects factors like inflation and a growing understanding of mental health impacts in personal injury claims.

“After handling thousands of personal injury cases in New Jersey since 1991, the most common question clients ask is about the value of their pain and suffering,” said Standriff.

Insurers often settle personal injury claims for just 20-30% of what clients ultimately recover. Standriff explained that New Jersey courts use a refined approach, including the Time Unit Rule, allowing for detailed consideration of how pain and suffering impacts victims over time.

The base multiplier method calculates economic damages and then applies a multiplier based on various factors, including the severity of the injury. For instance, a herniated disc case might yield a time unit calculation of $48,375, when accounting for the severity and duration of suffering.

Recent trends show juries consistently awarding higher damages, even in cases where economic costs are modest compared to the pain and suffering damages, such as a recent case yielding $1.2 million for a traumatic brain injury despite $300,000 in medical expenses.

Factors that drive higher awards include permanent effects such as scarring, impacts on relationships, and pre-existing conditions. Furthermore, juries are increasingly considering mental health in their evaluations.

Standriff emphasized the importance of comprehensive documentation for successful claims. Clients maintaining detailed pain journals and following medical advice tend to receive better compensation. He warns against gaps in treatment and advises victims to be honest about their medical history to avoid complications in their claims.

Bergen Law offers free consultations to injury victims in New Jersey, helping them understand the real value of their pain and suffering based on court methodologies, rather than insurance companies’ lower estimates.

Standriff has built a reputable practice specializing in personal injury cases, having collected tens of millions of dollars for clients over his extensive career. To learn more or schedule a consultation, victims are encouraged to contact Bergen Law.