What Qualifies as a Personal Injury in Missouri?

At its core, a personal injury is any physical or mental harm caused by another party’s negligence. Missouri is no exception to this, and in fact, the state has an extensive set of laws outlining what qualifies as a personal injury and how to seek compensation for said injuries. This article will explore the various types of personal injuries recognized by Missouri law and what steps need to be taken to seek damages for them.

The most commonly recognized form of personal injury is bodily injury, which can include anything from broken bones to a traumatic brain injury. In Missouri, bodily injury is defined as “impairment of physical condition or substantial pain” that results from an accident or intentional act of another party. If an individual suffers a bodily injury due to the negligence of another, they may be able to receive compensation for their medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.

In addition to bodily injury, Missouri also recognizes mental and emotional distress as a valid form of personal injury. Mental anguish can include anxiety, depression, fear, humiliation, or any other mental suffering resulting from someone else’s negligence. Common examples of this type of injury include false imprisonment or libelous statements made against an individual. Like with bodily injuries, victims of mental harm may be able to recover damages if they can prove that the offender acted negligently.

Finally, Missouri also recognizes wrongful death as a valid form of personal injury. Wrongful death occurs when a person dies as the result of another’s negligence or wrongful act. In these cases, the family of the deceased may be entitled to various forms of compensation for their loss, including funeral expenses, medical bills associated with the death, lost income from the deceased’s wage-earning capacity, and emotional distress suffered from the passing of their loved one.

In order to seek damages for any type of personal injury in Missouri, individuals must first file a claim with the state’s court system. This process usually involves filing a civil lawsuit against the responsible party and proving that they had acted negligently in order to cause harm. Depending on the circumstances surrounding the incident and severity of the injuries sustained, plaintiffs may be able to receive monetary compensation through a settlement or jury award.

In conclusion, understanding what qualifies as a personal injury in Missouri is key to seeking proper restitution for any physical or emotional harm caused by someone else’s negligence. While there are many different types of injuries that can be considered personal in nature—including bodily injury, mental anguish, and wrongful death—all types require victims to file a claim with the court system in order to obtain financial compensation for their losses.