Basic Lawsuit Terms Pt. 1

Each and every personal injury case is different, however, there are terms that are common to almost every case. This article will discuss some common and basic terms and their meanings used when filing a personal injury lawsuit.

Basic Lawsuit Terms

Below are some basic lawsuit terms that you are likely to come across if you file a personal injury lawsuit:

• Plaintiff – this refers to the party (person/company) or group of parties (people/companies) who are bringing forward the lawsuit. In a medical malpractice case, the plaintiff is the patient.
• Complaint – the plaintiff files a complaint so as to start a lawsuit. This complaint is filed in the appropriate court. In personal injury cases, the complaint is a formal expression of the plaintiff’s grievances.
• Prayer for relief – also included in the complaint is a prayer for relief. This is just a way of saying the complaint includes information as to how much money you want as compensation.
• Defendant – this is the party or group of parties that are said to be responsible for the plaintiff’s injuries. The plaintiff serves the complaint on the defendant. In a medical malpractice case, the defendant is the doctor, healthcare provider or professional.
• Answer – the answer is a formal response to the complaint made by the defendant. The answer is to notify the plaintiff and the court of the defendant’s position with regards to the allegations made by the plaintiff in their complaint.

It must be noted that, there are instances whereby a lawsuit can be brought by more than one plaintiff. When this happens, it is referred to as a class-action. Further, it must be noted that a lawsuit can have more than one defendant. It is important to determine if your personal injury case is a class-action and how many defendants there are. Speak to a qualified personal injury lawyer from the Vinson Law Office today.