Reviewed by our editorial team. Last updated 2026-08-16.
Every calculator on this site uses the multiplier method: (medical bills + lost wages) × a pain-and-suffering multiplier based on injury severity. This is a widely used negotiation starting point among insurance adjusters and personal injury attorneys — not a legal formula, and not a guarantee of any actual settlement.
| Severity | Multiplier | Typical description |
|---|---|---|
| Minor | 1.5x | Full recovery expected, no lasting effects |
| Moderate | 3x | Extended treatment, some lasting effects |
| Severe | 5x | Permanent injury or disability |
If you select a state, the calculator applies that state's actual fault-bar rule — pure
comparative, modified comparative (with that state's own 50% or 51% threshold), pure
contributory negligence, or (for South Dakota specifically) a note that its slight/gross rule
doesn't reduce to an automatic calculation. All 50 states plus D.C. are covered for this part,
each sourced to two independent references (see data/comparative-negligence.json
in the site's public repository for the full list and citations).
Where a fault percentage would bar recovery under a state's rule, this tool shows an explanation instead of a dollar figure — the entered fault percentage is a self-reported estimate, not a judge or jury's finding, and several of these rules carry real exceptions this tool doesn't attempt to evaluate.
Damage caps are currently researched for a starting set of states only — California, Texas, North Carolina, Florida, Georgia, and Illinois — not all states that may have one. A missing entry for a state means "not yet researched," not "confirmed no cap." Coverage will expand over time; check with a local attorney for any state not yet listed.
It does not account for insurance policy limits, disputed liability, or the strength of your evidence — all of which materially affect real settlements regardless of which state rules apply. Treat the result as a starting point for your own research, not a number to expect from an insurer.
Each calculator page cites its own sources. General references used across this site include the Insurance Information Institute, Nolo/AllLaw's legal encyclopedia, the American Medical Association's state medical liability reform tracking, the American Tort Reform Association, and the National Conference of State Legislatures.