Bodily Injury vs. Personal Injury: What You Need to Know

Bodily injury and personal injury are partially overlapping legal terms, leading to confusion for many. While both refer to injuries suffered by a victim, the context differs. Also, bodily injury is often quoted within the criminal court, while personal injury is more common in civil courts. Nevertheless, regardless of which claim you file for, you are entitled to receive compensation.

What Is Considered Bodily Injury?

Bodily injury is also known as physical injury, and it refers to any harm sustained by your body. This also includes disease and illness. It typically refers to pain and suffering caused to the victim during an assault or other crimes.

Depending on the severity, the classification can range from mild to severe. Bodily injury associated with a high risk of loss of life, permanent disfigurement, or long-term disability is considered a serious bodily injury.

Bodily Injury Claims

These are considered third-party claims since the claim is typically filed against the insurance company representing the defendant. To maximize your chances to recover the highest amount possible, make sure to get expert legal representation. A qualified lawyer can guide you throughout the process and make sure you build a convincing case file.

Bodily Injury Compensation

If you suffered a bodily injury, you may qualify for compensation. Depending on the specifics of the case, you may file a lawsuit against a responsible person, product manufacturer, or other targets. You may claim compensation for the following (and more):

• Medical expenses: any medical bills associated with the injuries sustained.
• Pain and suffering: include the mental and emotional repercussions of your physical injuries.
• Lost wages: loss of working capacity due to the physical harm sustained in the accident.

If the defendant has bodily injury insurance, this can help cover the expenses owed to the victim. There are different degrees of coverage. Therefore, depending on the type of insurance and event that caused the injury, losses might be covered partially or fully.

What Is Considered Personal Injury?

Basically, any type of (physical or psychological) injury sustained in an accident can qualify as personal injury. These are framed within the context of accidents caused by the negligent act or inaction of another person.

If you were recently involved in an accident, contact a Bader Scott lawyer to help with your personal injury case. They can offer guidance on how to obtain the maximum amount of compensation for your pain and suffering.

Personal Injury Claims

This is a type of civil claim filed by the victim against the person responsible for the injury. Such cases usually result from accidents caused by negligence. Many accidents can qualify victims for personal injury claims, including slip and falls, faulty products, or medical malpractice cases.

Personal Injury Compensation

If hurt in an accident caused by someone else, you are entitled to compensation. This is supposed to help ease the financial burden on victims. There might also be serious long-term repercussions linked to the injury that can affect the quality of life. For example, a permanent disability that may decrease the future earning capacity of the victim).

Differences Between Bodily Injury Coverage and Personal Injury Protection

The main difference between the two is within which legal system each is found. Personal injury is commonplace in civil courts, while bodily injury is more often referenced in criminal court cases. Therefore, personal injury is quoted mainly within the context of accidents. Bodily injury, on the other hand, is induced by another during an assault or attack.

Another difference is that personal injury includes more types of accidents, while bodily injury refers mostly to criminal acts. However, they can overlap over some events, like car accidents. However, the line between these two concepts often becomes blurry. Therefore, the best solution is to consult with a qualified lawyer. Based on the specifics of your case they will be able to offer personalized advice on how to proceed with your legal claim.

Final Thoughts

Even if you are still uncertain about qualifying for bodily or personal injuries, you should contact a qualified lawyer. Each case is unique and has its own legal course. This is why it is best to address the particular details with a legal expert. They can help prepare a solid case and increase your chances of fair compensation or settlement amount.