Legal Definitions - civil injury

A civil injury refers to a harm or wrong committed against an individual or private entity, rather than against society as a whole. Unlike criminal offenses, which are prosecuted by the state, civil injuries lead to disputes between private parties. The goal in a civil injury case is typically to compensate the injured party for their losses or to provide another form of remedy, such as requiring the wrongdoer to stop a harmful action.

Here are some examples to illustrate the concept of a civil injury:

• Example 1: Negligent Driving

  Imagine a driver who is texting while driving and, as a result, runs a red light and collides with another car. The driver of the second car suffers whiplash injuries, their vehicle is significantly damaged, and they miss several weeks of work due to recovery. The texting driver's negligence caused physical harm, property damage, and financial loss to the other driver. This constitutes a civil injury because it is a private wrong committed by one individual against another, leading to a potential lawsuit for compensation for medical bills, car repairs, and lost wages.

• Example 2: Breach of Contract

  Consider a small business owner who contracts with a supplier to deliver a specific quantity of raw materials by a certain date. The supplier fails to deliver the materials on time, causing the business owner to miss a crucial production deadline and lose a significant order from a client. The supplier's failure to uphold their end of the agreement (the breach of contract) caused financial harm to the business owner. This is a civil injury because it's a private dispute between two parties regarding their contractual obligations, where the injured party can seek monetary damages for their losses.

• Example 3: Defamation

  Suppose a person spreads false rumors online about a local restaurant, claiming they use unsanitary practices, even though these claims are untrue. As a result, the restaurant experiences a drastic drop in customers and suffers significant financial losses and damage to its reputation. The act of spreading false and damaging information constitutes a civil injury (specifically, defamation). The restaurant owner could pursue a civil lawsuit against the individual for the harm caused to their business and reputation, seeking compensation for lost profits and reputational damage.