What Is Included in Pain and Suffering Compensation for a Roundup Lawsuit?

A diagnosis of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma after years of using Roundup is a life-shattering event. The focus immediately shifts to medical treatments, doctor appointments, and the immense financial strain of fighting cancer. These economic costs—the medical bills and lost wages—are tangible and relatively easy to calculate. But the true toll of a cancer diagnosis goes far beyond what can be tallied on a spreadsheet. It includes the physical agony of treatment, the fear and anxiety about the future, and the loss of life’s simple joys. This is the “pain and suffering” component of a legal claim, and in a Roundup lawsuit, it is often the most significant part of the compensation a victim receives.

At Walch Law, we understand that no amount of money can erase the trauma of a cancer diagnosis. However, securing fair compensation for your pain and suffering is a critical part of holding a company like Bayer accountable for the devastation its product has allegedly caused. Call the experienced team at Walch Law now to get your questions answered and get started.

What Does “Pain and Suffering” Mean in Legal Terms?

In a personal injury lawsuit, “pain and suffering” is a legal term for the broad range of physical and emotional damages a person endures as a result of their injury. It is a form of non-economic damage, meaning it compensates for harms that do not have a specific price tag, unlike a medical bill or a lost paycheck.

The purpose of this compensation is to acknowledge the profound human cost of the injury. It is the law’s way of recognizing that your life has been fundamentally altered by the physical pain of the illness and the emotional trauma that comes with it. For Roundup victims, this includes everything from the side effects of chemotherapy to the psychological burden of living with a life-threatening disease.

The Two Sides of Pain and Suffering

This category of damages is generally broken down into two main components: physical pain and emotional suffering.

1. Physical Pain and Discomfort

This covers all the past, present, and future physical agony caused by the cancer and its treatment. It is a recognition of the daily battle a patient must fight. Examples include:

Pain from the Cancer Itself: Many forms of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma can cause significant physical pain, such as bone pain, abdominal discomfort, and chronic fatigue.
Agony of Cancer Treatments: Chemotherapy and radiation are grueling treatments with notoriously painful side effects. This compensation covers the suffering from nausea, nerve damage (neuropathy), mouth sores, and extreme fatigue.
Surgical Pain: Some patients may require surgery to remove tumors or for biopsies, which involves significant post-operative pain and a difficult recovery process.
Long-Term and Chronic Pain: Even after treatment is complete, many cancer survivors are left with chronic pain, permanent nerve damage, or other lasting physical ailments that diminish their quality of life.

2. Emotional and Mental Suffering

The psychological toll of a cancer diagnosis is just as real and debilitating as the physical pain. This part of the compensation addresses the wide range of emotional and mental harms you and your family endure. Examples include:

Anxiety and Fear: The constant fear of the cancer returning, anxiety before every medical scan, and the overarching uncertainty about the future.
Depression: It is common for cancer patients to experience clinical depression due to the physical and emotional stress of their illness.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): A cancer diagnosis and the subsequent treatments can be a deeply traumatic experience, leading to symptoms of PTSD.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life: This compensates for the inability to participate in hobbies, activities, and family events that once brought joy. It acknowledges the loss of a normal life.
Grief and Anguish: The profound sense of loss for the healthy life that was taken away.
Embarrassment or Humiliation: This can stem from physical changes caused by the illness or treatment, such as hair loss or scarring.

How Is Pain and Suffering Calculated in a Roundup Lawsuit?

Because there is no simple invoice for pain and suffering, determining a monetary value is one of the most complex aspects of a lawsuit. Insurance companies and juries use a few methods to arrive at a figure, but it is not an exact science.

The Multiplier Method: This is the most common approach. The total amount of economic damages (medical bills and lost wages) is calculated and then multiplied by a number, typically between 1.5 and 5. The multiplier is chosen based on the severity of the injuries. A case involving a long, painful battle with cancer, permanent disability, and significant emotional trauma would warrant a higher multiplier (e.g., 4 or 5).
The Per Diem Method: This method assigns a daily dollar amount for each day the victim suffers from their injuries, from the date of diagnosis until they reach maximum medical improvement. For example, if a daily rate of $200 is deemed appropriate and the suffering lasts for three years, the total would be $219,000. This method is used less frequently in catastrophic injury cases like cancer.

Ultimately, the final value is determined by telling a compelling, human story to the insurance company or a jury. It requires demonstrating the profound, day-to-day impact the cancer has had on every aspect of your life.

Why You Need an Attorney to Maximize Your Compensation

Insurance companies and corporate defendants are notorious for downplaying or outright dismissing claims for pain and suffering. Their goal is to pay as little as possible. They might argue that your emotional distress is exaggerated or that your physical pain is not as severe as you claim.

An experienced personal injury attorney that knows how to win Los Angeles Roundup lawsuits is your advocate and your storyteller. We fight back against these tactics by:

Gathering Powerful Evidence: We collect not only medical records but also journals, photos, and testimony from family and friends to paint a vivid picture of your daily struggles.
Hiring Experts: We work with medical and psychological experts who can provide professional testimony about your physical pain and the long-term emotional trauma you will face.
Presenting a Compelling Narrative: We know how to frame your story in a way that resonates with a jury, ensuring they understand the true human cost of your illness.
Leveraging Past Verdicts: We use our knowledge of recent multi-million dollar verdicts in Roundup cases to argue for the true value of your claim during settlement negotiations.

Without a skilled attorney, you are at a massive disadvantage and are likely to receive an offer that does not come close to compensating you for what you have endured.

How Walch Law Fights for Roundup Victims

At Walch Law, we believe your story deserves to be heard and your suffering deserves to be recognized. We take on the entire legal burden so you can focus on your health and your family.

Free, In-Depth Consultation: We will sit down with you to listen to your story, understand the full impact this diagnosis has had on your life, and provide a clear assessment of your claim’s value.
Building Your Story: We work closely with you and your family to document every aspect of your pain and suffering, ensuring no detail is overlooked.
Expert-Backed Case Building: We collaborate with world-class oncologists, psychologists, and financial experts to build an ironclad case that proves the full extent of your damages.
No Fee Unless We Win: We handle all Roundup lawsuits on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay absolutely no upfront costs, and we only get paid if we secure a financial recovery for you.

Contact Us Today for a Free Case Review

You have been through an unimaginable ordeal. Now is the time to seek the justice and compensation you are owed. Do not let a corporate defendant dictate the value of your suffering.

Contact the experienced Roundup attorneys at Walch Law today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Let us help you understand your rights and fight for the full financial compensation that recognizes everything you have lost.