The concept involves a tool, often digital or conceptual, used to estimate the monetary value of non-economic damages in personal injury claims within a specific legal jurisdiction. For instance, following a car accident in Ohio, an individual might seek to understand the potential compensation for the physical discomfort, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life resulting from the incident.
The significance lies in its potential to provide a starting point for settlement negotiations, offering a quantifiable representation of subjective experiences. Historically, determining these damages has been challenging due to their intangible nature, leading to inconsistent awards. Such tools can bring a degree of objectivity and standardization to the process, assisting both plaintiffs and defendants in understanding reasonable compensation expectations and potentially facilitating quicker resolutions.