Getting sucked into a legal battle may be a terrifying experience. If you’re involved in an accident case, you’re likely to run into legal jargon. Your lawyer’s job is to assist and advise you, yet they may employ a word that is new to you. Our Pittsburgh personal injury law firm has created a glossary of legal words you’re likely to encounter in the course of your wrongful death or personal injury case. This legal dictionary will help you understand the phrases and terms you’ll encounter as you go through the court and litigation process.
What Are The Most Common Legal Terms?
If you’re involved in a personal injury lawsuit, familiarizing yourself with the following phrases will be beneficial.
Affidavit: A formal written statement made under oath.
Arbitration: Parties engage in conflict resolution before a third-party arbitrator in a non-judicial legal procedure outside of the court system.
Attorney-Client Privilege: Communication between an attorney and a client that is kept private and secret.
Complaint: Initiation of a civil case by filing it with the appropriate court. Allegations are made against the defendant, and a request for remedy is made on behalf of the plaintiffs.
Contingency Fee: Instead of an hourly or set fee, an attorney receives a contingency fee only if he successfully recovers money for his client. A portion of the judgment or settlement is paid to the lawyer. If the lawyer cannot get monetary compensation for the client, the client will not be charged.
Decubitus: Skin and tissue damage that occurs when pressure is applied to a specific body location for an extended time is known as a decubitus ulcer. The tissue dies as a result of the absence of blood flow to the region. People are more likely to get bedsores if they are bedridden or unable to change body postures regularly. Bedsores and pressure sores are other names for the same thing.
Defendant: The person or entity being sued.
Deposition: An oral test in which one party asks questions of the other or relevant witnesses is known as a deposition.
Discovery: Before going to trial, an inquiry known as discovery takes place. It is at this time that each side gathers facts and evidence to support their position. Written discovery, such as interrogatories or requests for production, or oral discovery, such as a deposition, are both options.
Docket: The list of cases that a court will consider at a specific date in the future.
Evidence: Supporting or proving information is known as evidence.
Expert Witness: In support of a party’s argument, an expert witness provides their experience in a particular subject.
Fall Risk Assessment: Nursing home personnel assesses a resident’s risk of falling to establish the resident’s fall risk.
The Federal Nursing Home Reform Act/OBRA: It was the Federal Nursing Home Reform Act/OBRA that established the standards of care and rules that nursing facilities must follow in caring for and protecting the rights of nursing home patients.
Federal Tort Claims Act: If a federal employee’s carelessness causes another severe individual harm, death, or property damage, that person may be entitled to financial compensation under the Federal Tort Claims Act of 1946.
Interrogatory: Questioning the other party in litigation through interrogatory letters is a common tactic for uncovering crucial information. It’s a written way of finding out what’s going on.
The Jones Act: A piece of legislation passed by Congress to protect those who work aboard ships or vessels is known as the jones act.
Lawsuit: A legal action in which two parties are involved in a courtroom.
Liability Insurance: Compensation for third parties harmed or whose property is damaged because of the carelessness of the policyholder.
Medical malpractice: A healthcare provider’s negligence or failure to fulfill the accepted standard of care leads to harm or death to the patient.
Motion: An oral or written request made during litigation by one party for a judge’s decision on a question on which the parties cannot agree.
Personal injury: Body, mind, reputation, or emotions are all examples of personal injury.
Plaintiff: The person or entity who files a lawsuit over the defendant
Power of Attorney: When someone has the authority to act on behalf of another, they have power of attorney.
Product Liability: The branch of personal injury law that focuses on hazardous and faulty items is known as product liability. If a faulty product causes damage or injury, the manufacturer is legally liable.
Sepsis: Septicemia is another name for sepsis, which is a bacterial blood infection.
Statute of Limitations: There is a time restriction in which a plaintiff has to bring a lawsuit called the statute of limitations.
Summary Judgment: In the absence of a full trial, the judge’s judgment settles a case favoring one of the parties as a matter of law. Summary judgment is typically requested by one party where there are no significant facts in dispute, and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law on the facts.
Summons: it is prepared by the plaintiff. It is the plaintiff’s responsibility to draught, file, and serve the summons on the defendant.
Testimony: Deposition or trial testimony is evidence provided under oath by a witness.
Tort: An action for damages can be undertaken for someone else’s negligent or wrongful conduct, which results in harm.
Witness: A person who gives evidence under oath in court, including depositions, by sharing their first-hand knowledge or an expert opinion about the subject matter.
Workers’ Compensation: Injuries sustained in the workplace are covered under workers’ compensation.
Wrongful death: If another person’s carelessness causes your loved one’s death, it’s called a wrongful death. Typically, wrongful death cases are brought by the surviving family members or beneficiaries of the deceased person.
Accidents and injuries may be traumatic and emotionally draining, so adding a personal injury lawsuit to the mix is never a good idea. However, the compensation you are legally entitled to if you or a loved one has been wounded is critical.
You’ll be able to interact with your attorney more effectively if you’re familiar with the language used in this area of law. If you do this, you’ll be able to get more information and feel more confident as you go on.
Are you fighting a legal battle? Know what those legal terms mean? Do you need legal help? Click here to get in touch with our experienced personal injury attorneys to guide you.