Under these circumstances the experience can be stressful, and a bit overwhelming. To add to that, it is the first time they are hearing the legal terms commonly used in personal injury cases. Legal terms are familiar to attorneys and insurance companies but for people who don’t normally use them, they can be confusing.
Common Legal Terms Used In Personal Injury Cases
To help clear up some of the confusion people experience when first getting involved in a personal injury case, below are definitions of some of the more common legal terms personal injury attorneys use:
- Lawsuit – a court action filed by one party against another party with the goal of seeking compensation for an injury
- Plaintiff – the party that has been injured. This is the person that files a lawsuit
- Defendant – the party that the lawsuit has been brought against
- Medical Bills – any medical bill incurred related to the personal injury accident including charges from the hospital, doctors, therapists, ambulance service, lab work, radiology, specialist, etc.
- Lost Wages – the amount of money you lost because you were unable to work due to injuries sustained in the accident
- Statute of Limitations – the time period set by law in which a plaintiff may file a lawsuit to collect damages for his or her injuries
- Negligence – reckless or careless behavior or a failure to act with reasonable care resulting in damage to a person and/or the property of another
- Liability – the legal and financial responsibility for one’s acts or omissions
- Damages – the amount the plaintiff is seeking to recover from the defendant. It is comprised of two categories. Economic damages are actual measurable damages such as medical expenses, property damage and lost wages. Non-economic damages cover pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium – damages awarded to a spouse for loss of companionship including intimate relations
- Contingency Fees – most personal injury attorneys do not bill clients on an hourly basis but take a set percentage of the total recovery. If there is no recovery there is no fee. This allows personal injury victims to hire high quality legal counsel without having to advance any money.
Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney for More Information
Your Injuries are Personal to Me
My law practice exclusively represents personal injury victims and does so with a deep understanding of their suffering and an absolute commitment to their recovery. I take your injuries personally, and that is why I directly handle all aspects of every case to ensure that you receive maximum compensation.
Call the Law Office of Michael D. Waks at 888-394-1174 or use the convenient online contact form to schedule a free consultation. You are under no obligation and you will never pay any money unless you recover damages for your injuries. I offer bilingual services as part of my comprehensive approach to legal representation and I’m available 24/7 to talk to you about your case.