Are complications or sequela included in the definition of an injury?

In the context of injury definitions, complications or sequela are generally not included in the fundamental definition of an injury. An injury primarily refers to the immediate damage or harm resulting from an external event, such as trauma or an accident. Complications and sequelae, on the other hand, pertain to secondary conditions or effects that arise as a consequence of an injury but do not represent the injury itself.

When considering how injuries are defined in various fields, including legal and health contexts, the focus remains on the original incident causing harm rather than subsequent complications that may arise from treatment or recovery processes. These distinctions are important in both clinical understanding and legal frameworks, where differentiating between the initial injury and later complications can affect treatment approaches, liability, and insurance considerations.

Understanding that complications and sequela can be vital for overall patient management and care is essential, but they are categorized separately from the initial definition of an injury.