Last updated on March 18th, 2026 at 12:20 pm
At Hardy, Wolf & Downing, we often hear from people who say things like, “I had money stolen—does that count as a personal injury?” or “Someone scammed me; can I file a personal injury claim?” These situations are frustrating and unfair, but they do not fall under personal injury law.
A personal injury — in the legal sense — must involve a bodily injury.
That means you were physically hurt because of someone else’s negligence, carelessness, or wrongdoing.
What is a Personal Injury?
A personal injury typically involves injuries caused by:
- Car, truck, or motorcycle accidents
- Slip-and-fall hazards
- Unsafe property conditions
- Dog bites
- Defective products
- Medical negligence
- Workplace negligence (in certain situations)
- ATV/UTV/ROV crashes
- Nursing home abuse or neglect
In every one of these examples, the core element is the same:
You suffered physical harm, and that harm resulted in medical treatment, pain, lost income, or long-term complications.
What is not a Personal Injury?
- Money stolen or financial fraud
- Contract disputes
- Rental or landlord disagreements (unless they caused physical injuries)
- Employment disputes
- Purely emotional distress without a physical injury (with rare exceptions)
These issues may fall under criminal law, consumer protection, small claims, or civil litigation—but they are not personal injury cases.
Why Bodily Injury Matters
You can only bring a personal injury claim if you can prove:
- You were physically injured
- Someone else’s negligence caused the injury
- You suffered damages as a result
This helps the legal system distinguish between physical harm and other types of disputes.
If someone is unsure whether their situation qualifies, we always encourage them to reach out. A quick conversation with an attorney can save time and set expectations.
