How is great bodily harm defined in legal terms?

Great bodily harm is defined in legal terms as causing a substantial risk of death or serious disfigurement. This definition emphasizes the severity of the injuries involved, distinguishing them from less severe injuries that do not endanger life or result in significant physical changes. In legal contexts, great bodily harm often plays a critical role in determining the severity of charges in criminal cases, especially those involving assault or battery.

By focusing on the potential for serious consequences, such as the risk of death or disfigurement, this definition provides a clear framework that the law uses to assess the gravity of an offense. The other options, while related to concepts of injury, do not encapsulate the broader legal implications and severity that "great bodily harm" signifies. For instance, the idea of "serious injuries requiring immediate first aid" may not always indicate a substantial risk of death or permanent change, thereby falling short of the legal threshold associated with great bodily harm.