Definitions of Legal Terms Used In Personal Injury Cases

Michael Waks

10 years ago

For many individuals being the victim of a personal injury accident is the first time they have ever needed to hire an attorney. It comes at a time when they are suffering physically, emotionally, and sometimes financially as a result of injuries sustained through no fault of their own.

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.

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Michael Waks

Michael Waks is an aggressive advocate for people who have suffered because of someone else’s actions. Michael decided to become a personal injury lawyer when, while clerking at a legal defense firm during law school, he witnessed and was infuriated by asbestos manufacturers spending millions to avoid taking responsibility for the egregious injuries they caused. Immediately after passing the bar, Michael opened his own firm in Long Beach, CA to help the victims of personal injury accidents get every benefit owed them under the law.