What Is the Difference Between Bodily Injury and Personal Injury?

Posted on March 26, 2025 writen by Jane Paulson in Personal Injury,Portland Personal Injury Lawyer

Accidents are unpredictable, and understanding legal terms related to injuries is key to protecting your rights. Two commonly confused terms are personal injury vs bodily injury, but they have distinct meanings. Knowing the difference is essential for navigating legal claims and ensuring fair compensation.

This blog post will break down the differences, discussing how these terms are defined, the implications for claims, and what you need to know to protect yourself. Paulson Coletti‘s legal team in Portland is here to guide you every step of the way.

What Is Considered Bodily Injury? 

Bodily injury encompasses physical harm to the body that can be attributed to an accident or harmful act. These are often specific, measurable injuries that require medical attention. 

Examples include:

• Cuts, bruises, or lacerations
• Sprains or broken bones
• Spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries 

Bodily injury often comes up in insurance and legal cases, particularly motor vehicle incidents. For example, bodily injury liability coverage in auto insurance is designed to cover expenses such as medical bills and lost income from the physical harm caused to another person due to your negligence in an accident. 

Compensation for bodily injury typically includes:

• Medical expenses (hospital bills, surgeries, etc.)
• Rehabilitation costs
• Lost wages during recovery 

However, it usually excludes non-economic damages like pain and suffering. 

What Is Considered Personal Injury? 

According to Cornell Law School, personal injury is a broader term that includes not only physical harm but also emotional, mental, and reputational harm caused by another party’s negligence or intentional actions. Personal injury claims aim to hold individuals or organizations financially liable for their actions or lack thereof. 

Examples of personal injury cases include:

• Physical harm from car accidents or slip-and-fall incidents
• Emotional damage, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or anxiety
• Defamation, which harms a person’s reputation
• Medical malpractice 

Unlike bodily injury claims, personal injury claims often include compensation for non-economic damages, such as:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life 

Key Differences Between Bodily Injury and Personal Injury 

Legal and Insurance Implications 

The primary distinction lies in the scope and context of the claim. Bodily injury generally refers to physical harm in specific legal contexts, such as criminal cases or auto insurance liability claims. On the other hand, personal injury is a legal claim encompassing a broader range of damages. 

According to CaseText, Oregon’s motor vehicle liability insurance policies distinguish between personal injury protection benefits, covering medical treatment, loss of income, and funeral expenses, and bodily injury liability, which covers the costs of harm caused to another party in an accident.

Here’s a breakdown of the key legal implications for these terms: 

• Bodily Injury: Typically linked to auto insurance policies, this term refers to physical harm caused to others in an accident. It focuses on covering medical expenses, lost wages, and other related physical injuries-related costs. 
• Personal Injury: A broader concept that goes beyond just physical harm. It includes economic and non-economic damages, such as emotional distress, mental suffering, or harm to one’s reputation. Personal injury claims can arise from defamation, negligence, or even privacy violations, addressing a broader scope of liability. 

Claims and Compensation 

For bodily injury claims, compensation is more limited and structured around quantifiable economic losses such as medical expenses and lost wages. Personal injury claims, however, often include compensation for non-economic losses and may carry larger settlements depending on the severity of harm. 

How These Differences Affect Your Claim

Knowing whether your claim will be treated as a bodily or personal injury can significantly influence your legal strategy. And compensation.

• Evidence of Damages: You will need evidence such as wage statements or medical bills to support bodily injury claims. Personal injury claims will often be supported by corroborating evidence, such as expert testimony or emotional impact statements.
• Compensation scope: Personal injury claims cover settlement value because these incorporate intangible damages like pain and suffering.
• Insurance Coverage: Bodily injury liability coverage will not cover emotional damages, but personal injury protection coverage can cover most of all types of damage

If you are dealing with an injury claim in Oregon, remembering the above differences can assist you in making decisions about what to do next.

Our Legal Team Is Ready to Help You Navigate Your Case 

Navigating the legal and insurance landscape can be daunting, whether you’re dealing with a bodily injury or personal injury claim. The team at Paulson Coletti has extensive experience handling all types of injury cases, ensuring our clients receive the compensation they deserve. 

We’re here to clarify your legal options and fight for your best interests. Contact us today to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward resolving your case.