Most people understand that when they’ve been injured by another person’s negligence, they can seek compensation through a court of law. However, few are well-versed in the legal terms and definitions associated with such a claim. Below is a basic overview of these commonly used terms that you’ll need to familiarize yourself with throughout your claim.
Personal injury law encompasses the legal remedies available to individuals who believe they have suffered losses as a result of wrongful and negligent conduct. Most often, the victim is seeking out financial compensation for the losses they have endured. Negligence, as defined below, must be proven to have caused the injury.
Basic Legal Terms You Need to Know During a Personal Injury Claim in NJ
Each case involving personal injuries needs to be closely examined. Circumstances surrounding that accident will be specific and unique to your claim. Following are some of the most frequently used legal terms related to personal injury lawsuits:
- Defendant: This is who is being sued by the Plaintiff, and alleged to be the cause of the injuries the Plaintiff suffered
- Plaintiff: This is the person that files the lawsuit and is seeking out compensation
- Damages: This term refers to the financial losses suffered by the plaintiff. It may include things like medical bills, property damage, lost wages and pain and suffering
- Statute of limitations: This term defines the amount of time a victim has to pursue a lawsuit
- Standard of care: This references the level of concern or care a reasonable person would have taken in a similar situation
- Negligence: When a person has a duty or obligation to act with reasonable care and fails to do so, then the behavior is called negligence
- Assumption of risk: Some activities and behaviors are inherently risky. If you willingly engaged in a reckless or risky act, then it’s likely courts will believe you have assumed some liability for the activity by participating
- Contributory negligence: This term defines the percentage of fault the victim carries for causing the accident
- Premises liability: When a victim is injured, the property owner is usually liable for the damages
- Proximate cause: This term defines the main cause or reason an accident occurred. Without the proximate cause, the accident would not have occurred.
Contact a Linwood Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Personal Injury Case in New Jersey
Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to personal injury in New Jersey? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party, or their insurance company, to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at The Law Offices of Richard A. Stoloff represent clients injured because of personal injuries in Linwood, Atlantic City, Egg Harbor Township, Hammonton and throughout New Jersey. Call (609) 957-6810 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 605 New Road, 1st Floor, Linwood, NJ 08221, as well as our offices in Philadelphia, PA.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.