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There are many different reasons why people suffer personal injuries. Sometimes, they are caused by automobile accidents; other times, they result from occupational exposure to safety hazards. Unfortunately, another main cause of personal injury is malicious or criminal actions taken by other people. Assault and battery, two crimes that involve psychological and/or physical injury to a victim, fall into this category.

Though assault and battery are typically grouped together (often, they are committed together), they are actually two different crimes. Assault is the act of threatening or attempting to cause physical harm to another person. You do not need to actually touch another person to commit assault; you must only inflict a reasonable fear of harm in him or her.

Battery, on the other hand, is the act of physically touching or striking another person in a harmful or offensive manner. Acts such as hitting, punching, biting, or even spitting on someone else may be considered forms of battery.

Assault and battery are generally considered to be misdemeanors, although their charges may be elevated in severity if a harmful or deadly weapon is used or if the victim is significantly injured. When this happens, the resulting crimes are known as aggravated assault and aggravated battery. Aggravated assault and aggravated battery offenders may be charged with felonies.

If you have been hurt by someone else who committed assault and battery against you, then you may have the right to recover damages. To explore your legal rights and options, contact the St. Petersburg personal injury lawyers of Beltz & Ruth, P.A. today at 1-800-931-4369