A personal injury is damage to a person's body or mental health. Personal injury lawsuits are most often brought because of the alleged negligence of a defendant. Personal injuries can occur in almost any situation and at any time. For example, situations such as car accidents, workplace accidents, professional malpractice and slip and falls can result in personal injuries. The statistics indicate that approximately 1 out of every 9 people living in America will suffer a personal injury in any given year. A personal injury lawsuit may also be referred to as a "tort" or "negligence".