What constitutes physical injury in the context of child abuse?

Physical injury in the context of child abuse refers to any harm that affects a child's physical well-being and can manifest in various forms. This includes bruising, lacerations, broken bones, and any injuries that impair bodily functions. The definition encompasses both visible injuries and those that may not be immediately apparent but result in harm to the child's physical health.

Understanding that physical injury is not limited to what is seen on the surface is crucial. For example, bruising and lacerations are clear indicators of physical injury, but also injuries that affect a child's ability to move or function should be taken into account. The emphasis is on the impact of the injury on the child's overall health and safety rather than just the visibility of the injury itself.

In contrast, emotional distress does not qualify as physical injury, and temporary discomfort from accidents may not represent abuse if it occurs in a typical, non-abusive context. Only considering visible injuries disregards internal harm that could be inflicted, and limiting the definition to visible signs would undermine the broad understanding of what constitutes physical injury in cases of child abuse.