Personal Injury: Any injury that results in damage to the body, mind or emotions.  In personal injury cases, you may be awarded for either physical or psychological harm and, in some cases, both.  No compensation is awarded for damages to property.  Personal injury can arise due to motor vehicle, railroad or airline accidents, from construction or workplace accidents or from unsafe products.  In order to collect an award in a personal injury case, your lawyer must prove both liability and negligence on the part of the defendant.