Legal Definitions - bodily harm

Bodily harm refers to any physical injury, pain, illness, or impairment inflicted upon a person's body. This can encompass a wide range of physical effects, from minor injuries like cuts, bruises, or scrapes, to more severe conditions such as broken bones, internal injuries, concussions, or even illnesses caused by exposure to harmful substances. The essential element is a negative impact on a person's physical well-being.

Here are some examples illustrating the concept of bodily harm:

• Example 1: During an altercation, one individual shoves another, causing them to fall and sustain a sprained wrist and several abrasions on their arm.

  Explanation: The sprained wrist and abrasions are direct physical injuries that cause pain and impair the use of the arm, clearly demonstrating bodily harm.

• Example 2: A pedestrian is struck by a car whose driver was distracted, resulting in the pedestrian suffering a fractured leg and a concussion.

  Explanation: The fractured leg is a severe physical injury, and the concussion represents an impairment to brain function, both of which constitute significant bodily harm.

• Example 3: An employee is exposed to a toxic chemical leak at work due to faulty equipment, leading to severe respiratory problems and chemical burns on their skin.

  Explanation: The respiratory problems are an illness affecting the body's internal systems, and the chemical burns are direct physical injuries to the skin, both falling under the definition of bodily harm.