State law usually governs personal injury lawsuits, but federal law may apply in certain circumstances. For example, an injury suffered on federal property may be covered by the Federal Tort Claims Act, or liability for injuries suffered in an airplane crash may be governed by international treaties. The concept of bodily injury to a person is a very broad one. Depending upon the law of the state in which an incident occurred, bodily injury may include not only ordinary physical injury such as a broken leg, but also mental or emotional injury, such as emotional upset caused by witnessing a serious physical injury done to a close family member. Injury to property includes loss or damage to property such as a house, a car, or even a pet.
Economic injury includes loss of pay and other types of money damages.
There are a number of broad principles applying to the law of torts, in general, and to personal injury in particular. For example, a greater standard of care is usually required in situations involving children or people who are disabled. These situations differ in terms of the harm that might result if you make a mistake in pouring. If a lawsuit is brought for injuries caused by an accident, the jury must decide who caused the accident. Sometimes, however, more than one person may have been negligent, including the person who is bringing the lawsuit.