Personal injury is the legal term used for injury to the body, the mind or the emotional well-being of a person as opposed to damage or injury to property. Personal injury verdicts are decisions made for the plaintiff in the lawsuit. If the verdict is favorable there is usually monetary compensation. Occasionally, a personal injury verdict will make news headlines due to the large monetary award. The McDonald's coffee verdict is one such personal injury verdict that made headlines. Personal injury verdicts are awarded due to other people's negligence. A jury reviews the facts of the case and determines how much the victim deserves for medical expenses, loss of income, and loss of future earning capacity, and pain and suffering. In order for the victim in the personal injury case to receive fair compensation from a personal injury verdict, they need to be represented by an attorney who specializes in personal injury. Personal injury verdicts can be awarded for a variety of injuries, from car accidents and dog bites, to slip and fall injuries. A personal injury lawyer will determine whether or not a personal injury case should be brought and if so what type of compensation should be requested.