Legal Glossary
Understanding legal terminology is essential for navigating the legal system. Our comprehensive glossary explains common legal terms in plain language to help you better understand your case.
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A
Alimony
Court-ordered financial support paid by one spouse to the other during or after divorce, also known as spousal support or maintenance.
Appeal
A legal proceeding in which a higher court reviews the decision of a lower court to determine if legal errors were made that affected the outcome.
Arbitration
A form of alternative dispute resolution where a neutral arbitrator hears evidence and arguments from both sides and makes a binding decision.
Arraignment
The first court appearance where a criminal defendant is formally charged and enters a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest.
Asylum
Protection granted to foreign nationals in the U.S. who meet the definition of a refugee by demonstrating persecution or fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.
Automatic Stay
An injunction that takes effect immediately upon filing bankruptcy, stopping most creditor collection actions including lawsuits, wage garnishment, and foreclosure.
B
Bad Faith Insurance
When an insurance company unreasonably denies, delays, or underpays a valid claim, or fails to properly investigate or defend its insured.
Bail
Money or property given to the court as a guarantee that the defendant will appear for future court dates. If the defendant appears, bail is returned; if not, it is forfeited.
Bankruptcy
A legal proceeding that provides relief for individuals or businesses unable to pay their debts, allowing them to eliminate or restructure debt under court protection.
Burn Injury
Damage to the skin and underlying tissues caused by heat, chemicals, electricity, radiation, or friction, classified by degree of severity.
C
C&P Exam (Compensation and Pension Exam)
A medical examination ordered by the VA to evaluate the current severity of a veteran's claimed disability and determine if it's connected to military service.
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
A reorganization bankruptcy where debtors propose a 3-5 year repayment plan to pay off all or part of their debts while keeping their property.
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
A liquidation bankruptcy where non-exempt assets are sold to pay creditors, and remaining eligible debts are discharged, giving the debtor a fresh start.
Child Custody
The legal arrangement determining where children will live and who will make important decisions about their upbringing after parents separate or divorce.
Child Support
Ongoing payments made by a non-custodial parent to help cover the costs of raising their child, typically continuing until the child reaches adulthood.
Chronic Pain
Persistent pain lasting more than three to six months that continues after the initial injury has healed, often requiring ongoing treatment and significantly impacting quality of life.
Comparative Negligence
A legal doctrine that allows damages to be apportioned based on each party's degree of fault. The plaintiff's recovery may be reduced by their percentage of fault.
Concussion
A mild traumatic brain injury caused by a blow or jolt to the head that temporarily affects brain function, causing symptoms like headache, confusion, and memory problems.
Contingency Fee
A fee arrangement where the attorney's payment is contingent upon winning the case. The attorney receives a percentage of the recovery, typically 33-40%, and no fee if the case is lost.
Coverage Denial
When an insurance company refuses to pay a claim, asserting that the loss is not covered under the policy terms or that the policy was not in effect.
D
DACA
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals is a program providing temporary protection from deportation and work authorization to individuals who came to the U.S. as children without legal status.
Damages
Monetary compensation awarded to a person injured through the wrongful conduct of another party. Damages are intended to restore the injured party to the position they were in before the injury occurred.
Dangerous Dog
A legal classification for dogs that have shown aggressive behavior, bitten someone, or are deemed a threat to public safety, often resulting in special restrictions on the owner.
Defendant
The person or entity being sued or accused in a lawsuit. In civil cases, the defendant must respond to the plaintiff's complaint.
Demand Letter
A formal letter sent to an insurance company or opposing party outlining the facts of the case, injuries sustained, and the amount of compensation being sought.
Deportation/Removal
The formal process of removing a foreign national from the United States for violating immigration law, such as overstaying a visa or committing certain crimes.
Deposition
Sworn, out-of-court testimony given by a witness or party that is recorded for later use in court proceedings. Depositions are a key part of the discovery process.
Diminished Value
The reduction in a vehicle's market value after it has been damaged in an accident and repaired, compared to a similar vehicle that was never damaged.
Disability Determination
The process by which Social Security evaluates whether an applicant meets the legal definition of disability and qualifies for SSDI or SSI benefits.
Discharge (Bankruptcy)
The court order that eliminates a debtor's personal liability for certain debts, meaning the debtor is no longer legally required to pay them.
Discovery
The pre-trial phase in a lawsuit where each party can obtain evidence from the opposing party through various methods including interrogatories, depositions, and requests for documents.
Divorce
The legal dissolution of a marriage by a court or other competent body, ending the marital relationship and dividing assets, debts, and responsibilities.
Dog Bite Liability
The legal responsibility of a dog owner for injuries caused when their dog bites or attacks someone, which varies by state law.
Domestic Violence
A pattern of abusive behavior in a relationship used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner.
DUI/DWI
Driving Under the Influence (DUI) or Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) is the crime of operating a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs.
E
Employment Discrimination
Unfair treatment of employees or job applicants based on protected characteristics such as race, gender, age, disability, religion, or national origin.
Expungement
The legal process of sealing or destroying criminal records so they are not accessible to the general public or appear on background checks.
F
Felony
A serious crime punishable by imprisonment for more than one year, such as murder, rape, robbery, or drug trafficking.
FMLA Leave
Job-protected unpaid leave guaranteed by the Family and Medical Leave Act for qualifying family and medical reasons, including childbirth, serious health conditions, or caring for a family member.
Fracture
A break or crack in a bone, ranging from hairline fractures to complete breaks requiring surgical repair with plates, screws, or rods.
Future Medical Expenses
The projected cost of medical treatment, therapy, medication, and care that an injured person will need in the future as a result of their injuries.
G
Green Card
A document showing that a foreign national has been granted lawful permanent resident status in the United States, allowing them to live and work permanently.
Guardianship
A court-appointed arrangement where one person (guardian) is given legal authority to make decisions for another person (ward) who cannot care for themselves.
J
Joint and Several Liability
A legal doctrine that allows a plaintiff to recover the full amount of damages from any one defendant, regardless of that defendant's individual share of fault.
Judgment
The official decision of a court resolving a dispute and determining the rights and obligations of the parties. A judgment may award damages, grant injunctive relief, or dismiss the case.
Jurisdiction
The authority of a court to hear and decide a case. A court must have both subject matter jurisdiction (authority over the type of case) and personal jurisdiction (authority over the parties).
L
Liability
Legal responsibility for one's actions or omissions. When a person or entity is found liable, they are legally obligated to compensate the injured party for their losses.
Lien
A legal claim against a settlement or judgment that must be paid before the injured party receives their money, typically held by medical providers or insurers.
Loss of Consortium
A claim by the spouse or family member of an injured person for the loss of companionship, affection, comfort, and sexual relations resulting from the injury.
Lost Wages
Income that an injured person loses because they are unable to work due to their injuries, including salary, hourly wages, bonuses, and other employment benefits.
M
Marital Property
Assets and debts acquired during the marriage that are subject to division in a divorce, as opposed to separate property owned before marriage or received as gifts/inheritance.
Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI)
The point in recovery when a worker's condition has stabilized and further medical treatment is unlikely to result in significant improvement.
Mediation
A form of alternative dispute resolution where a neutral third party (mediator) helps the parties negotiate a settlement without going to trial.
Medical Malpractice
Professional negligence by a healthcare provider whose treatment falls below the accepted standard of care, resulting in injury or death to the patient.
Misdemeanor
A less serious crime punishable by up to one year in county jail, fines, probation, or community service.
Motion
A formal request made to a court asking the judge to make a specific ruling or order on a particular issue in a case.
N
Naturalization
The process by which a lawful permanent resident becomes a U.S. citizen by meeting eligibility requirements including continuous residence, physical presence, and passing civics and English tests.
Negligence
The failure to exercise the level of care that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in similar circumstances, resulting in harm to another person or their property.
No-Fault Insurance
An auto insurance system where each driver's own insurance pays for their medical expenses and lost wages regardless of who caused the accident.
O
Occupational Disease
An illness or health condition caused by exposure to risk factors in the workplace, as opposed to a sudden traumatic injury.
One-Bite Rule
A legal doctrine in some states where a dog owner is only liable for bite injuries if they knew or should have known their dog had dangerous propensities.
P
Pain and Suffering
A category of non-economic damages compensating injury victims for physical pain, emotional distress, and diminished quality of life caused by their injuries.
Parenting Plan
A written agreement between parents that outlines how they will share time with their children, make decisions, and handle disputes after separation or divorce.
Personal Injury
A legal term for an injury to the body, mind, or emotions, as opposed to damage to property. Personal injury claims are typically brought in civil court to recover compensation for harm caused by another party's negligence or intentional misconduct.
Plaintiff
The person or party who initiates a lawsuit by filing a complaint against another party (the defendant) in civil court.
Plea Bargain
An agreement between the prosecutor and defendant where the defendant pleads guilty to a lesser charge or receives a reduced sentence in exchange for avoiding trial.
Policy Limits
The maximum amount an insurance company will pay for a covered claim under an insurance policy.
Power of Attorney
A legal document authorizing someone (the agent) to act on another person's (the principal's) behalf in financial, legal, or medical matters.
Premises Liability
A legal doctrine holding property owners and occupiers responsible for injuries that occur on their property due to unsafe conditions.
Probate
The court-supervised process of proving a will's validity, paying debts, and distributing a deceased person's assets to beneficiaries or heirs.
Probation
A court-ordered period of supervision in the community instead of imprisonment, subject to conditions like regular check-ins, drug testing, and avoiding new crimes.
Product Liability
Legal responsibility of manufacturers, distributors, and sellers for injuries caused by defective products. Claims may be based on design defects, manufacturing defects, or inadequate warnings.
Protective Order
A court order that requires one person to stay away from another, often issued in cases of domestic violence, harassment, or stalking.
Punitive Damages
Additional damages awarded beyond compensatory damages to punish the defendant for particularly egregious conduct and deter similar behavior in the future.
Q
Qualified Medical Examiner (QME)
A physician certified by the state to conduct independent medical evaluations in workers' compensation cases. QMEs provide objective opinions on injuries, treatment, and disability ratings.
Question of Fact
An issue in a case that must be decided based on the evidence presented, typically determined by a jury. Questions of fact involve what happened, who did what, and whether conduct was reasonable.
S
Scarring and Disfigurement
Permanent marks, scars, or changes in physical appearance resulting from an injury, often a significant component of damages in personal injury cases.
Service Connection
The VA's determination that a veteran's disability or condition is related to their military service, which is required to receive VA disability compensation.
Settlement
An agreement between parties to resolve a legal dispute without going to trial. Settlements typically involve the defendant paying the plaintiff an agreed-upon sum in exchange for dropping the lawsuit.
Sexual Harassment
Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that affects employment or creates a hostile work environment.
Soft Tissue Injury
Damage to muscles, ligaments, tendons, or other connective tissues, often caused by trauma, overuse, or sudden movements like those in car accidents.
Spinal Cord Injury
Damage to the spinal cord that results in temporary or permanent changes in strength, sensation, and body functions below the site of injury.
SSDI
Social Security Disability Insurance provides monthly benefits to people who cannot work due to a severe disability and have paid into Social Security through payroll taxes.
SSI
Supplemental Security Income is a needs-based program providing monthly payments to disabled, blind, or elderly individuals with limited income and resources.
Standard of Care
The degree of care and skill that a reasonably competent professional in the same field would provide under similar circumstances.
Statute of Limitations
A law that sets the maximum time after an event within which legal proceedings may be initiated. Once the statute of limitations expires, the claim is typically barred forever.
Strict Liability (Animals)
A legal doctrine in many states holding dog owners automatically liable for bite injuries regardless of whether they knew the dog was dangerous or took precautions.
Subrogation
The right of an insurance company to pursue a third party who caused the loss to recover the amount paid on a claim.
Summary Judgment
A court ruling that resolves a case or specific issues without a full trial, granted when there are no genuine disputes of material fact and one party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.
T
TDIU (Total Disability Individual Unemployability)
A VA benefit that pays veterans at the 100% disability rate when their service-connected disabilities prevent them from maintaining substantially gainful employment, even if their combined rating is less than 100%.
Temporary Total Disability (TTD)
Workers' compensation benefits paid when an injured worker is completely unable to work for a temporary period while recovering from a work injury.
Tort
A civil wrong that causes harm to another person, for which the law provides a remedy. Torts can be intentional, negligent, or based on strict liability.
Total Loss
When a vehicle is damaged to the extent that the cost of repairs exceeds the vehicle's actual cash value, or when the vehicle cannot be safely repaired.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
A disruption in normal brain function caused by a bump, blow, jolt to the head, or penetrating head injury, ranging from mild concussions to severe permanent damage.
Trust
A legal arrangement where one party (trustee) holds and manages property for the benefit of another (beneficiary) according to the terms set by the creator (grantor).
V
VA Disability Rating
A percentage assigned by the Department of Veterans Affairs indicating the severity of a service-connected disability, which determines the amount of monthly compensation.
Verdict
The formal decision or finding made by a jury (or judge in a bench trial) on the questions of fact submitted to them during a trial.
Visa
An official document or stamp placed in a passport that allows a foreign national to apply for entry to the United States for a specific purpose and duration.
W
Wage Theft
The illegal practice of not paying workers for all their work, including violations like not paying minimum wage, denying overtime, or stealing tips.
Whiplash
A neck injury caused by a sudden back-and-forth movement of the head, commonly occurring in rear-end car accidents.
Will
A legal document that expresses a person's wishes about how their property should be distributed after death and who should care for minor children.
Workers' Compensation
A state-mandated insurance program providing benefits to employees who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses, regardless of fault.
Wrongful Death
A civil lawsuit brought when a person dies due to the negligence or misconduct of another party. The lawsuit is filed by surviving family members or the estate.
Wrongful Termination
Illegal firing of an employee in violation of federal or state laws, employment contracts, or public policy.
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