DeMayo Law Offices have provided you with a legal dictionary so that you can better understand some of the legal vocabulary used throughout our website and during your personal injury claim.
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Last Clear Chance – A defense to the contributory negligence doctrine; if the defendant knew or should have reasonably discovered plaintiff’s peril and he/she had the time and means to avoid injury to the plaintiff.
Law – The combination of those rules and principles of conduct promulgated by legislative authority, derived from court decisions and established by local custom.
Law Clerks – Persons trained in the law who assist judges or attorneys.
Lawsuit or Suit – Generally, a court action brought by one person, the plaintiff, against another, the defendant , seeking compensation for some injury or enforcement of a right.
Lawyer – A person licensed to practice law; other words for “lawyer” include: attorney, counsel, solicitor, and barrister.
Layperson – A nonprofessional; a non-expert. In law, an individual who has not undergone formal training.
Leading Case – Case regarded as having determined the law on a particular point, thus becoming a guide for later decisions.
Leading Question – A question that suggests the desired answer to a witness or “places words in the witness’ mouth.” With some exceptions, leading questions are prohibited on direct examination.
Legal Cause – Substantial factor in bringing about the harm. See proximate cause.
Legal Fiction – Assumption of a fact that may or may not be true made by a judge to decide a legal question.
Liability – An obligation that one is bound in law to perform; usually involves the payment of money damages.
Liberal Construction – Judicial interpretation of the law whereby the judge expands the literal meaning of the statute to meet cases that are clearly within the spirit or reason of the law. Compare with strict construction whereby the judge adheres to the literal meaning of the words.
Licensee – In civil law, a person who enters land with consent, but nothing more.
Lien – An encumbrance on property to secure payment of a debt. A health care provider has a right to place a lien on a claim to guarantee that his/her bills will be paid when the case concludes.
Limited Jurisdiction – Refers to courts that are limited in the types of criminal and civil cases they may hear.
Litigant – On e who is engaged in a lawsuit.
Lordosis – The spinal curve of the low back and neck. The term is used to refer to abnormally increased curvature (hyperlordosis) or to the normal curvature (normal lordosis).
Loss – The detriment or harm of your physical being, emotions, or property (economic loss).
Lump Sum – See compromise and release .
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