Pain and suffering represents separate non-economic damages beyond medical bills and other economic losses. Medical bills fall under economic damages covering actual treatment costs while pain and suffering compensates for physical discomfort and emotional distress. Insurance companies often confuse claimants by suggesting one category includes the other to minimize total compensation. You’re entitled to recover all medical expenses plus additional amounts for pain, suffering, and diminished quality of life. Pain and suffering calculations often use multipliers of medical bills, but they’re distinct damage categories. Severe injuries with relatively low medical costs can still generate significant pain and suffering awards. Understanding these distinctions helps evaluate whether settlement offers adequately compensate all your losses.