The Difference Between Personal Injury and Bodily Injury

Personal injury and bodily injury may seem similar, but they have distinct legal definitions and implications. The terms apply to different scenarios and carry unique consequences for the parties involved. If you are confused about the distinction between bodily injury and personal injury, this guide will provide a more comprehensive understanding of those differences.

Personal Injury Defined

The law defines personal injury as an injury to one’s body, mind, or emotions. While bodily injury only concerns physical harm, personal injury encompasses a broader range of potential harms.

Negligence often plays a significant role in personal injury cases. That negligence occurs when an individual fails to act with the level of care that a reasonable person would have exercised under the same circumstances. The negligent party is legally liable for any harm that results from their actions.

Examples of Personal Injury Cases

The category of personal injury encompasses incidents like car crashes, medical malpractice, workplace accidents, and product liability cases. In each of these instances, the injured party has the right to seek legal recourse. If you believe you have a valid case, discuss the details with a personal injury lawyer in Boise who can provide cogent legal advice.

Bodily Injury Defined

The law recognizes bodily injury as a specific physical harm or damage inflicted upon a person’s body. While personal injury encompasses physical, mental, and emotional harm, bodily injury pertains strictly to tangible physical damages.

Bodily injury claims often involve insurance companies, as they are usually the ones responsible for compensating the injured party. For a bodily injury claim to hold up in court, the injured individual must demonstrate that another party directly caused their physical harm.

Examples of Bodily Injury Cases

Bodily injury encompasses specific events like physical assaults, dog bites, and car accidents in which one driver injures another. These cases deal strictly with harm to the physical body. A dog bite that draws blood and requires a rabies shot is a bodily injury; so is a broken jaw resulting from a physical altercation.

Personal Injury vs. Bodily Injury Claims

The distinction between personal injury and bodily injury can impact the success of your claim and the settlement you receive. For example, you may receive compensation for bodily injury, but not personal injury, in a workers’ compensation claim. This means that you’ll be reimbursed for medical costs related to the physical injury, but not for psychological therapy.

In addition, many bodily injury claims are handled directly by insurance companies, while personal injury cases may end up in the courtroom. Discuss the details of your case with your attorney as you decide how to move forward.

The differences between personal injury and bodily injury claims may seem subtle at first, but once you know what to expect, the distinction is clear. Bodily injury is limited to tangible physical harm, while personal injury may offer broader compensation. If you need more in-depth legal support with your injury case, contact the team at Rossman Law Group.