Legally reviewed by H. Luke Mitcheson, Trial Attorney at Morgan & Morgan, on September 18, 2024.
Ever heard a lawyer speak and wonder what the heck they were saying? It can sometimes feel like lawyers have their own language, especially if you’ve never been involved in a claim before.
The justice system uses many terms with specific definitions, which may be different from the way we use these words in everyday conversations. Talk to your lawyer about any words or phrases you don’t understand throughout your case process, but here’s a cheat sheet of common legal terms you might come across.
Affidavit
A sworn statement of facts. It’s provided voluntarily and carries the penalty of perjury, meaning that it is illegal to lie or misrepresent the facts. Your lawyer may collect affidavits from people who witnessed your accident.
Example: My friend saw me fall in the grocery store, and she provided my attorney with an affidavit that the floor where I slipped was wet.
Burden of Proof
Burden of proof is the responsibility of a person or organization to prove or disprove a fact. Basically, whoever has the burden of proof needs to prove that what they’re saying is true. If you don’t have the burden of proof, you only have to prove that the other side is mistaken.
Example: When I filed my lawsuit, my lawyer explained that the burden of proof was on me to show that the other driver's negligence directly caused my injuries.
Cause of Action
The thing that occurred that led to a court case being filed; the legal grounds of a lawsuit. This can be something the defendant (entity being sued) actively and knowingly did; it can also be something that the defendant should have done, but didn’t (like correcting a dangerous situation).
Example: The cause of action in my case was when the defendant’s car rear-ended mine because she was following me too closely.
Claim
When a plaintiff, the person filing the lawsuit, tells the court how the defendant’s actions (or lack of actions, in the case of negligence) have caused him or her to suffer a loss.
Example: I filed a claim in my lawsuit that states the defendant hitting my car led to medical issues and limited my ability to return to my job.
Damages
An amount of money paid in compensation for a loss or injury caused by another person or organization.
Example: I received $864,000 in damages after my car was rear-ended by a distracted driver.
Defendant
The person or business against whom a lawsuit is filed. In a personal injury case, this is the perosn or business thought to be responsible for the injury.
Example: The defendant ran a red light, crashing into me and causing a disc herniation.
Deposition
A deposition is a live interview with a witness provided under oath. It’s part of the discovery process, which is an exchange of information between both sides in a case.
Example: My lawyer helped prepare me for my deposition with the defendant’s legal team by going over questions we think they might ask.
Discovery
Discovery is the process of collecting and sharing information and evidence. Both the plaintiff’s and the defendant’s lawyers engage in discovery. During this process, they will locate information that may be relevant to their case.
Example: During the discovery process, my lawyer learned that my case wasn’t the first to be brought against the store.
Gross Negligence
A severe disregard for the health and safety of others. Gross negligence doesn’t refer to acts that were intended to hurt someone; rather, it refers to an accident that could have been avoided if the person showed even a basic amount of care for others.
Example: I was rear-ended when the girl stepped out in front of my car because she wasn’t paying attention. The court ruled it was gross negligence on her part.
Lawsuit
An issue brought before a civil court by an individual or organization who is seeking a legal solution. Certain issues can be brought before both a criminal and a civil court (for example, cases of assault and battery), but a lawsuit specifically refers to a civil case.
Example: I brought a lawsuit against the person who sideswiped my car.
Liability
Legal responsibility. A defendant must have liability in order for a plaintiff to have a cause of action to bring a lawsuit.
Example: The store had a legal liability to keep their steps in good condition. They didn’t, which caused me to fall.
Litigation
The process of resolving issues between two people or organizations, through the legal system. This often involves bringing a lawsuit, but not always.
Example: My lawyer began litigation against the driver who hit my car.
Plaintiff
The person who brings or initiates a lawsuit. The person that the suit is brought against, or who is accused in the suit, is the defendant.
Example: When I brought a lawsuit against the other driver, I was the plaintiff in the case.
Statute of Limitations
The amount of time a person has to begin legal proceedings. Typically, for civil cases, you only have a certain period of time to bring a lawsuit. This amount of time is often two years for car accidents, although it varies from state to state. Your attorney will be able to tell you the statute of limitations for your particular case.
Example: I’m glad I hired a lawyer when I did. If I’d waited too much longer, the statute of limitations would have run out!
Subpoena
A summons to provide documents or to appear in court. You are legally required to comply with subpoenas; they are a demand made by the court, rather than a request.
Example: My lawyer subpoenaed the results of the store’s last internal safety evaluation. It showed that the store knew its floors were in disrepair.
Tort
An action (or lack thereof) that causes damage to someone else. Typically, something a person does that injures someone else, or something that a person should have done (but didn’t) that harms someone else. It’s basically a fancy word for why a lawsuit is being brought.
Example: The other driver committed a tort when they drifted into my lane.
Voir Dire
The process where potential jurors are evaluated by the attorneys involved in the case. Attorneys do not want jurors who will be biased, so they are allowed to ask potential jurors certain questions and exclude those jurors who they believe cannot be impartial.
Example: During voir dire in my car accident case, my attorney asked that a potential juror who was previously convicted of distracted driving be excluded.