Georgia Personal Injury Glossary A-L

Affidavit: written statement made under oath

Appeal: request by one party for a higher court to review a lower court’s decision

Bad Faith: actions by one party designed to mislead the other or to avoid fulfilling a duty or contractual obligation

Claim: request or demand for compensation from a party

Claimant: party making demand for compensation or asserting a right

Complaint: formal statement by plaintiff filed in court setting forth his injury and damages and the other party’s liability for them

Defendant: party from whom the plaintiff seeks relief and whom plaintiff believes is responsible for damages

Demand Letter: letter to a defendant or insurer asserting a legal right and seeking reasonable compensation for injuries to a plaintiff’s person or property

Deposition: form of discovery where an attorney asks questions of a party, witness, or expert under oath before the trial begins

Discovery Process: procedure for collecting and examining physical and documentary evidence to be used later at trial

Docket: calendar or agenda of court proceedings

Evidence: physical objects, testimony, and documents that are offered to the court to prove or disprove the facts of a case

Expert Witness: individual who possesses specialized knowledge beyond that of an ordinary person who is called to testify

General Damages: monetary damages for pain and suffering, disability, or reduction in quality of life

Guardian: person with lawful power and duty to manage another’s legal rights

Guardian Ad Litem: guardian appointed by the court to represent the legal interests of a minor

Hearing: legal proceedings in which a judge makes determinations of fact or law after arguments by both parties

Insured: person who purchases or is covered by an insurance policy

Insurer: company which insures a vehicle or person

Interrogatories: written questions submitted by one party to another during the discovery stage which must be answered under oath

Judgment: final order by a judge which ends a lawsuit

Juror: member of the jury

Jury: group of persons selected to determine the outcome of a trial

Lawsuit: claim or cause of action commenced in a court of law by filing a complaint according to certain legal rules and procedures

Liability: legal responsibility or fault for an incident causing damage to another person or property

Lien: encumbrance on property to secure a debt

Liquidated Damages: amount of money agreed upon by parties to a contract that must be paid if the contract is breached

Litigation: process of filing a lawsuit and then arguing the case in front of a jury or judge in court