Personal injury is an area of law designed to protect those harmed by the negligence, recklessness, malpractice, or inaction of others. Personal injury law encompasses a full range of legal claims, from wrongful death, auto accidents, and medical malpractice to defective drugs, product liability, and workers' compensation A victim can file a personal injury claim for physical injury, emotional injury, and, occasionally, for property damages. In some cases the family of the injured or deceased can file suit on behalf of its loved one.

Those who file personal injury claims may be eligible to receive damages, namely financial compensation for their loss of income, pain and suffering, emotional distress, permanent disability, and other resulting injuries.