As your personal injury lawyer, the attorneys at Waitz & Downer do not want you to feel “in the dark” when it comes to understanding your case. Below, we define the most commonly used legal terms you’ll hear in a personal injury case.

Glossary of Personal Injury Terms

Accident Report: An official document that records the details of an incident. Compiled by police, hospitals, and other officials – an accident report provides an official account of the cause and effects of a personal injury incident.

Claim Adjuster: An insurance agent who assess your claim and determines the amount of compensation you are entitled to.

Contingency Fee: The amount of money a lawyer will receive only when a case has been won.

Damages: Damages can be used in two ways. The first is in reference to any physical impairments of harm that resulted from an accident. It can also refer to the amount of money to be awarded as compensation for any losses or injuries you have suffered.

Defendant: An individual, company or collective group of people who are being accused of a crime in a court of law.

Duty of Care: An expectation of how a person should act towards others. It includes a certain level of watchfulness, attention, caution and prudent behavior expected of a responsible person.

Evidence: The available facts or information that proves or validates your legal claim.

Expert Witness: An individual who is permitted to testify at trial due to their experience, knowledge or professional prowess in a field that is relevant to your case.

Liability: The state of being responsible for damages or injuries caused during a personal injury claim.

Loss: The amount of money an individual, company, or collective group of people owe as the result of a personal injury claim.

Medical Malpractice: When a medical professional deviates from the accepted norms of practice, as accepted by the medical community, that results in injury to a patient.

Negligence: The failure to take proper and reasonable care, which resulted in damages or injuries to another.

Personal Injury: Physical injuries suffered by one’s body.

Plaintiff: An individual who brings a lawsuit against another person, company or group of people in a court of law.

Statute of Limitations: A period of time, after which a certain type of crime is no longer able to benefit from legal actions.

Wrongful Death: A civil action that seeks damages against an individual or company whose negligence resulted in the death of a person.

Contact a Personal Injury Attorney

Personal injury lawsuits can be complicated, requiring evidence, expert witness testimony, and much more. Contact Waitz & Downer today to learn more about how we can help your personal injury claim get you the compensation you deserve.