If you were injured in a car accident, slip and fall, or any other personal injury incident, you’re probably wondering:
“How much should I ask for a settlement?”
While every case is different, the settlement amount you request should reflect:
- Your medical bills
- Your pain and suffering
- Lost wages
- Future medical care
- Permanent or long-term disabilities
- Emotional trauma
- Loss of quality of life
Below is a clear breakdown to help you understand what’s reasonable—and how NYC injury victims calculate settlement value.
Typical Personal Injury Settlement Ranges
➡️ Minor Injuries
Sprains, mild whiplash, soft-tissue injuries
$5,000 – $25,000
➡️ Moderate Injuries
Fractures, herniated discs, injections, significant treatment
$25,000 – $100,000+
➡️ Severe Injuries
Surgery, long-term pain, mobility issues
$100,000 – $500,000+
➡️ Catastrophic Injuries
TBI, paralysis, amputation, permanent disability
$500,000 – several million dollars
These numbers are based on national averages and NYC verdict trends.
How Lawyers Calculate Settlement Amounts
1. Medical Bills (Current + Future)
Your medical costs form the foundation of your settlement.
Authoritative medical reference:
Mayo Clinic – Injury care & treatment
https://www.mayoclinic.org
A lawyer will add:
- ER visits
- Imaging (X-rays, CT scans, MRIs)
- Physical therapy
- Surgery
- Pain management
- Prescriptions
- Future treatment projections
2. Lost Wages & Loss of Earning Capacity
If you missed work or cannot return to your job, the settlement includes:
- Paycheck losses
- Loss of promotion or bonuses
- Reduced earning ability
Trusted resource:
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Wage data
https://www.bls.gov
3. Pain and Suffering
This includes:
- Physical pain
- Emotional distress
- Anxiety
- Depression
- PTSD
- Lifestyle limitations
NYC often awards higher pain and suffering amounts due to the long-term impact of traffic and construction-related injuries.
The Multiplier Method
One of the most common ways settlements are calculated:
Medical bills × a number (1.5 to 5+)
- Minor injuries → lower multiplier
- Severe, permanent injuries → higher multiplier
Example:
$20,000 in medical bills × 4 = $80,000 settlement demand
Factors That Increase Your Settlement Value
You may ask for a higher settlement if:
- The injury affects your ability to work
- You required surgery
- There is permanent scarring or disfigurement
- You experience chronic pain
- The at-fault party was clearly negligent
- The injury significantly changed your lifestyle
NYC Settlement Trends
NYC personal injury settlements are frequently higher because of:
- Expensive medical care
- High lost wage calculations
- Strong legal precedent for injury compensation
- Larger jury verdicts when cases go to trial
Insurance companies operating in NYC know this—so having a lawyer pushes settlements upward.
How to Know What Amount to Request
A reasonable settlement request should include:
- All medical bills
- Lost wages + future earning loss
- Pain and suffering
- Out-of-pocket costs
- Property damage
- Projected future medical care
- Permanent disability or emotional trauma
A qualified accident attorney will calculate the maximum legally-supported amount based on similar NYC cases.
Final Thoughts
There’s no “one-size-fits-all” number—but the amount you ask for must reflect the full physical, financial, and emotional impact of your injury.
With the right documentation and a skilled NYC injury lawyer, you can demand a settlement that truly matches what you’ve lost.
📞 Redmond Law Firm PLLC is here to calculate your case value and fight for the full compensation you deserve.
Free consultation. No fee unless we win.