两个术语的含义常被视为等同(Cf. Merriam Webster's Dictionary of Law等)。如一定要加以区别,可以认为bodily harm (身体损害)是一个界定十分含混的术语,其除指身体的一般伤害(impairment),痛苦(physical pain)外,也可指因伤害引起的心理、精神、等疾病(illness),有时甚至可指交通事故受害人的衣服损害[1]。而bodily injury (身体伤害)则主要指肉体的伤害(physical damage to one's body),也称为 physical injury,如性质严重则称为great bodily injury (严重身体伤害)或grievous bodily harm (严重身体损害),属于刑法或侵权法上的术语[2]。
[1] "Physical pain, illness, or impairment of body. ”Cf. Bryan A. Gamer, Black's Law Dictionary, 7th edition, at p. 722, West Group (1999).
[2] "Physical hann to an individual's body. ” Cf. James E. Clapp, Random House Webster's Dictionary of the Law, at p. 238,Random House, New York (2000).