Injury is damage or harm caused to the structure or function of the body caused by an outside agent or force, which may be physical or chemical. Injury may also refer to injured feelings or reputation rather than injuries to the body.

Some types of injury

• Burns are injuries caused by excess heat or sometimes cold (frostbite).
• Fractures are injuries to bones.
• Wound: cuts and grazes are injuries to the skin, that can cause bleeding (i.e. a laceration).
• A bruise is a haemorrhage under the skin caused by contusion.
• Damage to a person's sense of self-worth can be considered an emotional injury. An example is harm to one's perception of her or his gender resulting from sexual harassment.

Serious bodily injury is any injury to the body that involves a substantial risk of death to the victim.

The law and injuries

Various legal remedies may be available for personal injury (eg. under the law negligence) or some other type of injury (eg. see damages and restitution).

In the United States, the legal definition of malicious injury is any injury committed with malice, hatred or one committed spitefully or wantonly. Such an action must be willfully committed with the knowledge that it is liable to cause injury. Injury involving element of fraud, violence, wantonness and willfulness, or criminality. An injury that is intentional, wrongful and without just cause or excuse, even in the absence of hatred, spite or ill will.

See also

• Australian rules football injuries
• Back injury
• First aid
• Microtrauma
• Physical trauma
• Self-harm

Legal

• Battery (crime)
• Bodily harm
• Grievous bodily harm

External links

• Injuries Guide Information on different types of injuries.
• Injuries of medico-legal importance. Extensive definitions of types of injuries.

Legal terms | Injury | Traumatology

Cedera | Ferita | Traumatisme | Verletzung