Terms & Definitions

Attorney:
A legal agent or person who practices law.

Claim:
Asserting a right in court that is the result of certain occurrences or facts which give rise to an action enforceable at law.

Contingency Fees:
Payment based upon or dependent upon a party's successful resolution of the matter.

Defendant:
A person, company or entity against whom someone brings a lawsuit.

Discovery:
The process by which parties learn or uncover information regarding a lawsuit. It includes written questions and oral depositions before a trial.

Liability:
The process by which parties learn or uncover information regarding a lawsuit. It includes written questions and oral depositions before a trial.

Litigation:
A lawsuit or the process by which one is carried out.

Medical Malpractice:
A physician's deviation from the applicable standard of care that a similar physician would exercise under the same circumstances.

Negligence:
A deviation from the standard of care that a reasonably prudent person would have exercised under the same circumstances.

Personal Injury:
When a person is wrongfully injured by the negligent or intentional conduct of a wrongdoer.

Plaintiff:
The person or family, estate or guardian of a person injured who brings a lawsuit against a defendant.

Premises Liability:
Liability of landowners or those who are responsible for maintaining the property for activities or conditions occurring on the land.

Product Liability:
Liability of a manufacturer or seller of a defective product for any injuries or damages suffered as a result of the defective product.

Settlement:
When a case is concluded prior to a verdict at trial when all parties agree to drop the lawsuit in favor of accepting an agreement made outside of court.

Tort Law:
An area of law that provides a remedy to all parties who are injured as a result of a civil wrong.

Verdict:
A finder of fact's decision as to whether the facts warrant a judgment in favor of the plaintiff and, if so, the amount to which the plaintiff is entitled.

Wrongful Death:
When a person's death is caused by the negligent or intentional act of a wrongdoer.