5 Words That Lawyers Like To Use
The legal world has its own vernacular. Attorneys use words that may be hard for the layman to understand. Which is why it is important that, if you are meeting with an attorney, you are prepared to communicate with them. This can be done by learning some of the most common words used in the legal community. Here are some words that lawyers love to use.
Negligence
Negligence is one of the most important words when it comes to personal injury lawsuits. Negligence means that someone was careless and irresponsible in a certain act. Without negligence you cannot prove a personal injury lawsuit. For example, if the individual who was driving in the car that caused the accident did everything that they could to prevent the accident, they were not being negligent, so they cannot be held responsible for the damage in most cases. If you cannot prove negligence, you probably don't have a good case.
Mediation vs. Litigation
Most attorneys prefer to go through mediation rather than litigation. Mediation is the process by which both parties resolve the problems without going to court. Mediation tends to be a lot cheaper since it takes less time in preparation, and you can reach a resolution quicker than in court.
In mediation, both parties sit in separate rooms and a mediator goes back and forth between the rooms negotiating a settlement. Litigation is when a conclusion cannot be reached and the suit must go to court. Most attorneys will do whatever they can to settle outside of court. This is best for you because it will save you money, and you'll have more control over negotiations rather than letting a judge decide.
Restitution and Damages
Damages refer to the actual amount of money that you lost because of the accident. This can be medical bills from physical injuries, lost wages from missing work, property damage, and even pain and suffering. Thus, when the attorney asks about your damages, they mean a number given to describe the total amount lost.
Restitution is the amount of money that you get to help pay for the damages. The other party will pay for your damages in the form of restitution. If you lose the suit, you will get no restitution.
By knowing what words lawyers like to use you can better understand what is going on. If you need to consult a personal injury lawyer, contact James Lee Katz.