Introduction
Being injured through no fault of your own can be an overwhelming experience, especially if you don’t know what steps to take next. If you or someone you know has been involved in an accident, it’s important that you know your legal rights and options regarding legal action if necessary, as well as the lingo that your lawyer may use when describing your case. Here are some of the most important legal terms and phrases to know if you are filing for an Edwardsville personal injury lawyer.
Assault
Assault is typically classified as either misdemeanor assault or felony assault. For example, someone who deliberately points a gun at someone while they are driving their car and the driver is concerned about being shot could be charged with both assault and attempted murder.
Breach of Contract
A breach of contract can be defined as the failure of one party in a contract to fulfill their legal obligations. The law defines this as an act or omission that impedes or frustrates the performance of the other party’s duties under the contract. Breach of contract occurs when one party doesn’t live up to their side of the agreement, whether intentionally or through carelessness.
Damages
There are two types of damages that may be awarded in personal injury cases: compensatory and punitive. Compensatory damages compensate the victim for the losses they incurred as a result of the defendant’s wrongful conduct. Punitive damages are awarded by a jury or judge who believes that an award of compensatory damages is not enough to punish the defendant and deter other defendants from committing similar wrongs in the future.
Defamation
Defamation is when someone makes false and damaging statements about you or your business. There are two types of defamation: slander and libel. Slander is spoken, libel is written. In order to prove defamation, the person who has been defamed must show that the statement was false and that it damaged his/her reputation. Defamation can be punished as a civil wrong (that is, without involving criminal charges) by suing the person making the statement in court for monetary damages.
Conclusion
In conclusion, take the time to know these top legal terms. It could be the difference between getting what you deserve or having your case thrown out of court. I hope this list has been helpful in understanding some of the legal jargon that may come up in personal injury cases.
