When you think about causing serious injuries in a fight, you probably think of a long brawl. You assume the fighting would have to go on for some time, it may involve weapons and things could escalate out of control. You certainly don’t think that those injuries would happen instantly after just one punch.
They can, though, and it can have a devastating impact on your life. Losing your cool for just a split second may be enough to leave you facing serious charges.
In one case, for example, a man was punched one time in the head, and it severed an artery. He died from the resulting brain damage. Another potential risk is if the first punch knocks the person down and their head strikes the pavement or a tile floor. That second impact may do far more damage than the punch, but it’s still a result of that same action.
This is something to keep in mind for those who would never intend to cause serious injuries or death, but who may be a little too quick to jump into what they consider a “minor” physical altercation. It may seem minor and you may think that a little roughhousing won’t lead to legal charges, but even a split second of action could leave someone else with a head injury, brain damage or with no brain function at all.
Cases like this are frightening because you could still face manslaughter charges even though you never wanted things to go that far. They can upend your life. You must know what defense options you have.