Dallas Injury Lawyer
Glossary
A
Action –A complaint or suit brought before the court
Affidavit –A written statement of facts that has been confirmed under oath
Allegation –A claim made in court
All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) –An off roading vehicle with a seat and three or more wheels
Answer –A defendant’s response to a plaintiff’s accusations
Appeal –A request for a superior court’s review of the validity of a lower court decision
Arbitration –An out-of-court method to solving legal disputes
Assumption of risk –The argument that the plaintiff had accepted the dangers posed to them by taking part in a certain action
B
Bad faith –An intentional attempt to deceive
Bench trial –A juryless trial that is decided by a judge
Beneficiary –Someone who will receive benefits or property in the will of a deceased person
Brain injury –A head injury that can result in major psychological or physical problems
C
Capacity defense –A defense that says a person is unable to be held responsible. This defense is commonly used in the case of disabled persons and children
Case law –Laws based on court decisions
Civil Courts –Courts that deal with legal disputes instead of crimes
Civil lawsuit –Lawsuits that require no proof of criminal liability and instead focus on private rights, responsibilities and remedies
Clear and convincing evidence –The amount of evidence needed to win a civil lawsuit. Your Dallas personal injury lawyer can help you create a case based on this legal standard
Cognitive functions –Brain functions that may be lost in a brain injury
Compensation –A way to make up for a loss
Contingency fee –A method of paying your Dallas personal injury attorney that requires no upfront payments and no payments if you lose. If you win, you provide your legal representative with a portion of your settlement
Contempt of court –Disobeying a judge’s order
Countersuit –A lawsuit against a plaintiff that has been filed by the defendant of another case
D
Damages –Compensation to make up for a loss
Decree –A court order
Default judgment –A judgment against someone who has not responded to the charges against them
Defendant –A person accused of recklessness or negligence in a civil suit
Deposition –An out-of-court testimony made under oath
Directed verdict –A juryless decision
Disability –The lost ability to perform basic acts and duties
Disfigurement –Permanent scarring on a person’s neck, face or head
Dismemberment –The complete loss of a body part
E
Eligible survivor –A spouse or child of a deceased person who can claim benefits on his or her behalf
Exhibit–A document or object used as a fact in a trial
F
Finding –A courtroom opinion
G
Gross negligence –A complete failure to perform a basic duty
H
Hit and run –When a driver leaves the scene of an accident without providing contact information
I
Incompetence –The inability to perform a basic and necessary duty
Insurance adjuster –An accident investigator who works for an insurance company. In many situations, these people will work to minimize your payment unless you work with a top Dallas personal accident attorney
Intentional infliction of emotional distress –Purposefully causing a person to suffer serious emotional anguish
J
Judgment –A court’s official decision on an issue
L
Liability –The responsibility of a person to someone or something
Loss of consortium –A type of compensation that covers the loss of compantionship
M
Manslaughter –The unintentional killing of another person
N
Negligence –Failure to provide a normal level of care in a given situation
O
Out of court settlement –A legal agreement to settle an issue out of court, usually with the awarding of compensation
P
Physical therapy –A type of therapy to increase mobility and treat pain after a serious injury
Plaintiff –A person who started a legal action
Possessor of land –Someone who controls or occupies a property and is liable for injuries on the property. Your Dallas personal injury lawyer can help you find out who is responsible for your property liability case
Premise liability –The responsibility of a possessor of land to keep their property safe
Product liability –A manufacturer’s responsibility to provide safe products to the public
Punitive damages –Damages made to punish a defendant
S
Slip and fall –A type of persona injury that is caused by poorly maintained flooring, sidewalks or stairways
Statute of limitations –The amount of time you have to bring a lawsuit to court after filing learning that you have been wronged. If you have questions about how the statute of limitations applies to your case, please call Crain Lewis today
W
Waiver –The voluntary surrender of rights
Willful negligence –Intentional disregard of risks
Wrongful death –A person’s premature death that has been caused by someone elses’s negligent or reckless behavior