personal injury

Personal injury is an injury to a person's body, mind, emotions or standing as opposed to damage to their property. It is a popular Internet search term for persons seeking information on injuries they or someone they know may have suffered or the assistance or advice of a personal injury lawyer.

Although a personal injury can arise from events ranging from car accidents to dog bites to medical malpractice, from a legal standpoint it is not limited to bodily injury. For example, the effect defamation or invasion of privacy has on a person is also considered a personal injury.

Personal injury claims most often result in civil lawsuits against the person or entity causing the injury. On occasion, the cause of the injury may also be a crime, such as an assault.

Personal injury also describes that portion of a liability insurance policy, such as a homeowner's policy, that protects you against claims for other than property damage or bodily injury, such as false arrest, libel or invasion of privacy.