What defines the term 'serious bodily harm' in the context of deadly force?

The term 'serious bodily harm' is defined in legal contexts concerning the use of deadly force as an injury that poses a risk to life or causes significant physical injury. This definition emphasizes that the harm must be severe enough to endanger a person's life or significantly impair their physical condition. In situations involving self-defense or justifiable use of deadly force, the law often requires a clear understanding of what constitutes serious bodily harm to determine if the use of such force was warranted.

The other options do not appropriately capture the gravity required for the designation of 'serious bodily harm.' For instance, injuries that do not require hospitalization or only necessitate minor medical attention do not meet the threshold typically associated with serious bodily harm. Similarly, while any injury resulting in permanent damage may seem severe, not all permanent injuries necessarily endanger life or cause significant physical harm, which is central to the definition focused on risk to life or significant injury.