What qualifies an injury as "serious bodily injury" in the context of assault?

An injury is classified as "serious bodily injury" in the context of assault primarily based on its severity and the extent of medical care required. Injuries that necessitate stitches or hospitalization indicate a significant level of harm and the potential for lasting effects on a person's health. This definition aligns with legal standards that distinguish between minor injuries that might heal quickly and those that have a more profound impact on an individual's physical well-being.

Minor cuts and scrapes generally heal without extensive medical intervention and do not meet the criteria for serious bodily injury, as they are considered less severe in nature. Similarly, injuries that only cause temporary pain or those that can be treated with over-the-counter medication do not usually reflect the level of injury classified as serious, as they do not require significant medical resources or intervention. Therefore, option B accurately captures the threshold for what qualifies as serious bodily injury.