What Is A Personal Injury?                

A personal injury claim usually begins with some wrong or damage being done to you or someone you are acting for, such as a child or a deceased family member. While it includes the invasion of any legally protected interest, we are usually dealing with bodily injury, which includes physical pain, illness or any impairment of your physical condition, as well as any out-of-pocket expenses that arise as a result of the wrong done to you. "Serious bodily injury" means bodily injury which creates a substantial risk of death or which causes serious, permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ.

While personal injury claims may be based upon a purposeful act or acts by the wrongdoer (defendant), they are usually based upon simple negligence. If the defendant was grossly, or willfully and wantonly negligent, a court may allow for punitive damages (that is damages which seek to punish rather than reimburse for the actual loss) in addition to actual damages.

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