Personal Injury Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Personal Injury, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Personal Injury?

An injury to one’s body or mind. May be grounds for a lawsuit if someone besides the victim is responsible for the injury.

History and Meaning of Personal Injury

Personal injury is a term used to describe any type of harm inflicted on an individual's body, mind, or emotions. This term has been around for centuries and has been a central part of personal injury law. These types of injuries can result from a variety of circumstances such as accidents, intentional attacks, medical malpractice, or exposure to hazardous chemicals. In many cases, personal injury claims arise when someone else's negligence or intentional action caused the injury.

Examples of Personal Injury

  1. A car accident that caused a broken leg or other physical injury
  2. Slip and fall accidents that result in head injuries
  3. Medical malpractice that results in a patient's worsened condition or complications
  4. A dog bite that causes permanent scarring or emotional trauma
  5. An intentional assault that results in bodily harm

Legal Terms Similar to Personal Injury

  1. Negligence - A failure to act with reasonable care that results in harm to another person
  2. Strict Liability - Legal responsibility for damages or injury, regardless of fault or intent
  3. Damages - Monetary compensation for losses or harm caused by someone else's actions or negligence.