Bodily injury does not have much of an impact in a criminal case, not as serious bodily injury does. If a serious bodily injury is determined to have occurred, then the degree of the offense can increase. This means if a defendant if convicted of that higher degree charge, he/she can expect harsher sentencing. The difference in degree between bodily injury and serious bodily injury, therefore, can make the difference in the classification of the offense you are charged with and possibly convicted of. Thus, the impact of serious bodily injury can make all the difference in what happens to you. And this difference matters specifically in assault cases.