Attending the first meeting with an attorney after you or a loved one has been hurt in an accident can seem like an intimidating task at first. Know that we want you to feel completely comfortable working with us. The attorneys at Dozier Law strive to use easy-to-understand language when speaking with clients instead of using confusing legal jargon. But, there are occasions when we may need to use legal language, so you might be interested in becoming familiar with some of the terms that may come up during your free consultation. This article explains some of the most common legal terms relating to your personal injury case.

Please don’t be afraid to ask if you do not understand something at any time during your communications with our attorneys or anyone in your office. We would never expect anyone but attorneys to understand legal jargon as a matter of course. If you haven’t yet scheduled a free consultation, call 888-239-2129 today or contact us online to discuss your case.

Terms: People Involved In A Personal Injury Lawsuit

These are terms that are used for the people involved in a personal injury lawsuit:

• Parties – If you are a part of the lawsuit, either the plaintiff or the defendant, you are a party to the case. This is the generic term to include both sides of the case. Sometimes, a party to a lawsuit is a business or a government entity.
• Plaintiff – A plaintiff is the injured party or the person who has filed the lawsuit against the other party – the defendant. If you’ve been injured and want to sue someone for your injuries, you will be the plaintiff in your lawsuit.
• Defendant – The person, company, or other party that is accused of injuring you or causing your injuries.

Terms: Personal Injury Lawsuit Process

As your case develops, you may encounter these terms:

• Contingency – This is the type of fee agreement we normally enter into with our personal injury clients. It means that you will not have to pay anything upfront or while your case is pending. We will cover the costs associated with your case and will only be reimbursed if you are awarded compensation.
• Filing – When you hear the term filing, it means we are submitting a document or a series of documents with the court. We will submit documents to open your case and to provide the court with information throughout our investigative process, for example.
• Claim – Submitting a request for compensation directly from an insurance company is referred to as a claim.
• At Fault – The term “at fault” refers to who is responsible for causing a victim’s injuries. We will need to prove that the defendant was responsible for causing your injuries in order to recover compensation on your behalf.
• Settlement – Oftentimes, either the defendant or their insurance company will offer you money to resolve your case before risking that you’ll take your case all the way to trial. A pre-trial compensation offer is called a settlement. Depending on the circumstances of your case and how much we expect to recover, we may advise you to accept a particular settlement offer or that you take the case to trial.

Terms: Trial

We will be prepared to take your case to trial if your case does not settle. If we go to trial, these are some of the terms you will encounter.

• Trial – The process of proving your case before a judge and/or a jury. At the conclusion of a trial, the judge or the jury will determine if the defendant is at fault and how much compensation you are entitled to. Typically, a trial occurs in a courtroom with both parties presenting evidence.
• Damages – Damages refer to the compensation award you should be paid as a result of suffering injuries. Damages may include compensation for medical bills, lost compensation, and pain and suffering. They may also include compensation for the loss of your ability to work or enjoy everyday life and other damages appropriate for your unique circumstances.
• Deliberation – If your case is tried before a jury, its members will take time outside of the courtroom to talk about the case and make their decision. This discussion period before a verdict has been reached is called deliberation.
• Verdict – A verdict is either the judge or jury’s official decision concerning who is at fault in your case and how much the defendant owes you.

Our Georgia Personal Injury Attorneys Are Here For You

The lawyers at Dozier Law want you to understand what is happening in your case at all times. If, at any point, you do not understand what is going on in your case or something that we have said, please ask us to clarify. We are here to make your life easier and help you get the compensation you deserve. Call 888-239-2129 or contact us online to schedule a risk-free consultation. We look forward to speaking with you.