bodily injury

Tort Law/Personal InjuryLegal glossary term

Legal Definition

Bodily injury refers to physical harm or damage sustained by a person resulting from an accident, tort, or event. In a legal context, it signifies the tangible loss of health, physical integrity, or well-being suffered by an individual.

Plain-English Translation

It means when someone gets hurt or damaged in a legal sense—like getting hurt from a car crash or a slip and fall. It's about the actual physical damage that happens to the body.

Context in Contracts

It matters because it forms the basis for claims in legal actions (like lawsuits) where one party seeks compensation for the physical suffering or loss incurred due to another party's negligence or wrongful act.

Visual model

Understand bodily injury fast

ELI10 illustration for bodily injury
01

A claim filed after a person suffers a broken leg from a car accident.

02

A medical claim where the patient seeks compensation for injuries sustained during an operation.

Document context

How bodily injury shows up in legal documents

What is it?

Bodily injury is the physical harm, damage, or loss of health suffered by an individual as a result of an accident, tort, or event.

Why does it matter?

It matters because it forms the basis for claims in legal actions (like lawsuits) where one party seeks compensation for the physical suffering or loss incurred due to another party's negligence or wrongful act.

When does it matter?

It usually appears when an individual suffers physical harm, such as from a collision, a fall, or an illness, leading to a claim for damages.

Where is it usually seen?

It is commonly seen in legal documents related to tort law, insurance claims, medical malpractice suits, and personal injury litigation.

Who is affected?

The person who sustains the physical harm; the plaintiff or claimant seeking redress for the damage suffered.

How does it work?

In practice, it involves assessing the extent of the physical impairment, the resulting pain, loss, or permanent impairment suffered by the injured party due to a specific event.

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External reference for bodily injury

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