Understanding Personal Injury Terms

The use of alternative methods to settle a legal dispute outside a courtroom, such as arbitration or mediation. See arbitration and mediation.

In a personal injury case, the injured person has to be able to prove through evidence and testimony that someone was actually negligent and that person’s negligence caused your harm or injuries.

A question and answer session that takes place outside of court, but still under oath, recorded and documented by a court reporter. Questions are asked by opposing attorneys. 

Taking legal action or filing a lawsuit.

The area of law that covers all physical, financial, and emotional injuries that occur due to neglected conditions on another person’s property or by other people causing harm, i.e. auto accidents.  ** and other people causing harm, i.e. auto accidents, premise liability, dog bites, medical malpractice, sexual harassments are some of the more commons types of personal injury claims.

Asking a higher court to reverse the decision that was made in trial court when one party does not agree with the decision. 

The first official document of a lawsuit filed by an individual or company claiming legal issue against another party. This is how you start a lawsuit, by filing a complaint

The legal process through which opposing parties gather evidence. Typically, this involves interviews and requests for documents and records.

The providers send to attorneys so that attorneys know they need to pay the provider first from the settlement before giving funds to the patient.

The conclusion of a claim as a result of a negotiated agreement between the parties. This can happen before or after the litigation process has begun but usually before it goes to court.