Bodily injury and serious injury are two terms that often come up when you’re reading about how to recover personal injury compensation in Iowa. When you’re not familiar with these terms, it can be hard to tell what the difference is.
Taking the time to understand the legal distinction can help you know your injury type and set your expectations for how much personal injury compensation a lawyer can help you recover.
What Is Bodily Injury in Iowa?
Under Iowa personal injury law, bodily injury is a broad term that refers to a few different types of conditions. While the term “injury” refers to damage to the body alone, the legal term “bodily injury” refers to:
- Physical injury
- Illnesses
- Disease
Bodily injury encompasses the immediate physical effects of an accident, but it also includes other situations.
For example, a car crash that results in a broken leg causes physical injury. A dangerous product that causes cancer doesn’t actually cause a physical injury. However, under the legal definition of bodily injury, one can seek personal injury compensation for the impact of an illness or disease as well as physical injury.
What Is Serious Injury in Iowa?
Serious injury, also sometimes referred to as serious bodily injury, is another legal term commonly used in Iowa personal injury law. This term refers to certain forms of bodily injury that have a permanent or severe impact on a person’s health. Iowa law defines serious injury as an injury that results in at least one of the following:
- Mental illness that leads to disability
- Significant risk of death
- Permanent disfigurement
- Long-term loss of a body part or organ
- Certain injuries to children
Serious injury can take many forms. Often, whether an injury is considered serious depends on the severity of the injury and how much it impacts the injured person’s long-term health and quality of life. Some of the most common types of injuries that are often categorized as serious injuries include:
- Brain injuries
- Spinal injuries
- Amputations
- Organ damage
- Severe burns
- Blindness
Furthermore, any injury to a child that requires surgical treatment under general anesthesia is considered a serious injury. Common examples of these include rib fractures and skull fractures. Compensation for a serious injury often reaches six or seven figures, as permanent injuries can lead to significant long-term costs.
Get Help With Personal Injury Compensation in Iowa
If you’ve experienced an injury or illness in Iowa and you believe someone else is to blame, it’s time to schedule a free consultation with an Iowa personal injury lawyer. A lawyer can help you understand whether you have grounds for a claim and how much you might be able to recover.
It’s particularly important to seek legal help if you’ve suffered a serious injury or a life-threatening illness. Serious injuries come with significant long-term costs, often leading to loss of earning ability and the need for long-term care.
The right Iowa personal injury lawyer can help ensure that you and your loved ones don’t suffer financially after someone else’s actions harm your health and finances.
