Personal Injury Medical Multiplier Calculator
The Multiplier Method is one of the standard personal-injury settlement formulas: total medical bills × multiplier (1.5-5x based on severity) plus lost wages plus future care costs. Soft tissue injuries: 1.5-3x. Severe injuries: 4-5x.
Multiplier Method Standard Ranges
Soft tissue (whiplash, sprains, fractures with full recovery): 1.5-2.5x. Surgery required, lasting 6-12 months: 2.5-3.5x. Permanent partial disability: 3.5-4.5x. Catastrophic (TBI, spinal cord, amputation): 4.5-5x. Wrongful death: 5x+. Multiplier reflects pain and suffering proportional to medical severity.
Per Diem Method Alternative
Some attorneys use per-diem instead of multiplier. Daily rate ($150-$500) × days of recovery + permanent injury daily rate × life expectancy. For long-recovery injuries, per-diem often exceeds multiplier method. Insurance adjusters resist per-diem — multiplier is more common in negotiations.
Comparative Fault Reduction
If plaintiff is partially at fault, settlement reduces. Pure comparative fault states (CA, NY, FL): any % reduces. Modified comparative fault states (most): plaintiff at 50% or 51%+ fault gets zero. Contributory negligence states (AL, MD, NC, VA, DC): any plaintiff fault bars recovery — harshest standard.
Source: American Bar Association Personal Injury Guidelines, Verdict Reporter Settlement Surveys 2025. Last updated: May 2026.