Legal Definitions - injurious

The term injurious describes something that is harmful or has the potential to cause harm, damage, or injury to a person, property, or reputation.

Here are some examples illustrating the application of this term:

• Example 1: Product Safety
  A pharmaceutical company releases a new medication without adequately testing its side effects. After several patients experience severe adverse reactions, it is discovered that the drug, when combined with certain common foods, becomes highly toxic.

  This medication is considered injurious because it has the potential to cause significant physical harm and illness to individuals who consume it, especially when combined with other substances as described.

• Example 2: Defamation
  During a heated public debate, one political candidate falsely accuses their opponent of embezzling campaign funds, knowing the accusation is untrue. This statement is widely reported by the media, causing the opponent to lose significant public support and donations.

  The false accusation is injurious because it directly harms the opponent's reputation and public standing, potentially leading to professional and financial damage.

• Example 3: Environmental Damage
  A construction company fails to properly secure its work site during a storm, resulting in large quantities of debris and sediment washing into a nearby protected wetland. This influx of foreign material disrupts the ecosystem, harming local plant and animal life.

  The company's negligence leading to the contamination is injurious because it causes direct damage to the environment and its delicate ecosystem.