Most people search for a settlement calculator because they want a ballpark. That can be useful for planning—especially if you’re dealing with lost wages from a period of missed work or restrictions that affect your ability to commute and perform your job.
But calculators generally estimate outcomes based on simplified assumptions (like injury severity, wage history, and whether a condition is expected to improve). In San Carlos, the “simplified assumptions” problem shows up when:
- Your injury is tied to a specific work task that’s hard to describe consistently (common on construction, delivery, warehouse, and field work).
- Your symptoms develop over time (repetitive strain, aggravation of an existing condition, cumulative trauma).
- Your claim involves medical documentation gaps—for example, treatment delays due to scheduling, travel distance, or unclear reporting.
- Your work restrictions affect your ability to work a shift, manage workload, or keep up with physically demanding duties during the week.
A calculator can help you ask better questions, but it rarely replaces what your claim file and medical records can support.


