Simple English definitions for legal terms
Read a random definition: historian
Harm means when something bad happens that causes damage or injury. It can be physical harm, which means pain or illness to the body, or material harm, which means damage to things like property. Social harm is when something bad happens that affects a group of people and is against the law. For example, if someone steals from a store, it causes harm to the store and the people who work there.
Definition: Injury, loss, or damage that causes material or tangible detriment. Harm can be accidental or not caused by any tortious act. It can also refer to physical pain, illness, or impairment of the body, as well as any physical impairment of land, chattels, or the human body. Social harm refers to an adverse effect on any social interest that is protected by the criminal law.
These examples illustrate the different types of harm that can occur and how they can be classified. Accidental harm is not intentional, while bodily harm and serious bodily harm refer to physical injuries. Social harm is a broader concept that encompasses any adverse effect on a protected social interest.