Types of Personal Injury

When most people think of personal injury, they think of things like broken bones, lacerations, and soft-tissue damage are usually what come to mind. But there are many different types of personal injury that may or may not involve bodily damage. Injury can be classified into four groups: physical, financial, intentional, and injury to reputation. A personal injury lawsuit may involve one or more of these categories.

Physical or Bodily Injury

Physical or bodily injury is what is most commonly associated with the term “personal injury” and includes all types of illness, disability, or bodily damage that is caused or exacerbated by another party’s negligence. The majority of personal injury cases involve some type of bodily injury.

Financial Injury

Many cases of physical injury involve some degree of financial injury as well, such as significant medical bills or a loss of income due to inability to work. However, it is also entirely possible, although less common, for financial injury to be sustained without physical injury. If a person’s economic stability is threatened or property is significantly devalued due to another party’s negligence, financial injury has taken place.

Injury to Reputation

Damage to a person’s reputation can have a substantial impact on emotional and financial wellbeing. Cases of defamation or slander fall into this category of personal injury.

Intentional Injury

Most personal injury cases involve negligence, which is defined as a failure to fulfill a responsibility that results in harm to others. In some cases however, the harm is done intentionally, or as a result of such gross negligence that it can actually be considered intentional.

Speak to a Personal Injury Attorney in Your Area

Do not assume that an injury must be physically debilitating in order for you to have a legitimate personal injury case. There are many types of damage that may result from the negligence of another party. Consult the Law Offices of Christopher J. Swatosh to find out whether or not you are entitled to compensation for your injury.