What is considered "serious bodily injury"?

"Serious bodily injury" is defined as a bodily injury that results in a substantial risk of death or severe disfigurement. This definition captures injuries that are significant and potentially life-altering, emphasizing the severity and the long-term consequences that such injuries can bring about. It is important to understand that serious bodily injury is much more than just an injury requiring medical attention; it reflects a serious threat to an individual’s life or quality of life.

The other options focus on less severe encounters. Minor cuts and bruises that require medical attention, injuries needing only immediate first aid, and a bruise that heals within a week all indicate conditions that lack the critical severity that characterizes "serious bodily injury." These options depict scenarios where the injuries are either mild or readily treatable without the risk of substantial long-term effects, which distinguishes them clearly from the defined severity of serious bodily injury.