Personal Injury vs. Bodily Injury
When seeking guidance on navigating a personal injury claim in Indiana, you may come across the terms personal injury and bodily injuries used interchangeably. On face value, the terms seem to refer to the same thing, but there are some subtle differences.
Working with a skilled Indiana personal injury lawyer makes navigating a claim easier because they do the hard work of deciphering legal terms on your behalf. Still, having a basic understanding helps you when the terms are mentioned in your case.
Personal Injury
Personal injury is the broader of the two and refers to general harm suffered by a victim. It encompasses physical, reputational, psychological, or mental. In most cases, it is used in legal settings to connote a claim that one has against another for harm caused through negligence or other misconduct.
Personal injuries can arise from many situations. The most common personal injury claims include car accidents, slips and falls, dog bites, defective products, workplace accidents, and medical malpractice claims.
Personal injury can be of many types, and understanding the nuances of the law around such injuries can be quite tough. Lawyers are adept at offering the right advice to their clients in dealing with such matters.
Bodily Injuries
Bodily injuries form the basis of most personal injury claims. It refers to the harm suffered on the plaintiff’s body.
The main difference between personal injury and bodily injury is that it does not extend to harm outside the body, such as reputational damage.
Harm that fits into this category includes physical cuts, abrasions, broken bones, internal injuries, pain and suffering, mental anguish, death, etc.
Laws regarding bodily harm or injuries are tough to navigate. People find them hard to understand on account of the many nuances that come under the law. Speaking to a lawyer to better understand your situation can help bolster claims of compensation.
Compensation For Personal And Bodily Injury
If you succeed with your personal injury claim, you will recover damages for harm and losses suffered in the accident. In most cases, the plaintiff recovers economic and noneconomic damages, also known as compensable damages.
Economic And Noneconomic Damages
Economic damages refer to all financial losses linked to the accident, such as medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, etc.
Noneconomic damages cover non-monetary or intangible losses such as reputational damage, pain and suffering, and disfigurement.
Punitive Damages
In some cases, the court may award punitive damages where gross negligence or intentional conduct was a factor in causing the injuries.
Punitive damages differ from compensatory damages because they are not designed just to cover losses. Instead, they are a punitive measure against a defendant for their conduct.
Compensation For Bodily Injuries
Compensation for bodily injuries is part of a personal injury settlement. However, not all personal injury cases will involve another party.
In such situations, you may have to shoulder the burden of the losses you incur. However, if you carry uninsured coverage, your insurer may step in to cover medical expenses.
The Role Of A Lawyer In Recovery
It’s possible to pursue a claim independent of a lawyer. However, with complex cases where you suffer severe injuries, navigating a claim without a lawyer will be difficult. You want to have their expertise when assessing injuries and the impact your injuries have on your life.
An attorney’s negotiation skills also come in handy. A skilled lawyer can help maneuver strategies involved to get the most monetary settlement for their clients.
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between personal injury and bodily injury is essential when pursuing a claim in Indiana. While personal injury covers a wide range of harm, including physical, emotional, and reputational, bodily injury specifically refers to physical harm to the body. Navigating the complexities of these cases can be difficult, but working with an experienced personal injury lawyer ensures that you understand your rights and maximize your compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. Legal expertise is crucial for securing the best possible outcome.
