What is the definition of "harm" in a legal context?

In a legal context, "harm" is defined broadly to encompass any injury, disadvantage, or loss that affects another person's welfare. This definition acknowledges the various forms of harm that can occur, not just physical injuries but also emotional distress, financial loss, or detriment to an individual's rights or well-being. Understanding harm in this way is essential in many areas of law, including personal injury, tort law, and criminal law, as it serves as a basis for liability or claims for damages.

The other definitions provided do not capture the full scope of what constitutes harm. Loss to an individual's reputation relates to defamation but does not consider other forms of harm. Damage to public property is a specific scenario that may involve criminal liability but does not define harm in its more general and comprehensive sense. Similarly, injury caused by negligence is a type of harm, but it is limited to cases involving negligence and does not include harm arising from intentional acts or other situations.