- glossary
- p
Glossary
P
Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering encompasses the physical and emotional distress a person experiences due to an injury, and in personal injury law, compensation may be sought for these non-economic damages.
Paralegal
A paralegal is a legal professional assisting attorneys with various tasks like research and documentation, playing a pivotal role in managing the administrative aspects of personal injury cases.
Partial Disability
Partial disability denotes a condition where an injury limits a person's functioning or ability to work but not completely, significantly impacting compensation and work-related considerations in personal injury claims.
Patient Advocate
A patient advocate helps navigate healthcare and insurance issues, often becoming integral in personal injury cases to ensure victims receive appropriate medical care and billing assistance.
Personal Injury
Personal injury refers to harm sustained physically, emotionally, or mentally due to someone's negligence or intentional actions, often forming the core of claims seeking compensation for damages incurred.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
PIP is an insurance coverage that provides compensation for medical expenses and, often, loss of income resulting from an auto accident, regardless of who is at fault, and is imperative in relevant personal injury claims.
Personal Representative
A personal representative, significant in personal injury cases, acts on behalf of a person’s estate or is appointed to manage matters, especially in scenarios involving incapacitation or death.
Plaintiff
The plaintiff is the party bringing a lawsuit to court, and in personal injury cases, it's typically the person who suffered injuries and is seeking compensation and justice for the harm endured.
Pleadings
Pleadings are formal written statements filed with the court that outline the parties' positions and claims, establishing the foundation for the arguments and defenses in personal injury cases.
Policy Limit
Policy limit refers to the maximum amount an insurer will pay under a policy, crucial in personal injury matters when determining available compensation from insurance coverages.
Power of Attorney
Power of attorney is a legal document granting one individual authority to act on another's behalf, which can be pivotal in personal injury scenarios where one cannot manage their affairs.
Post-concussion Syndrome (PCS)
PCS is a complex disorder yielding symptoms like headaches after a concussion, often explored in personal injury cases to establish the severity and impact of head injuries.
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD is a mental health condition triggered by a terrifying event, and in a personal injury context, victims might seek compensation for ongoing mental and emotional suffering.
Prayer for Relief
Prayer for relief is a segment of a pleading that requests specific relief or damages, guiding the court’s understanding of the plaintiff’s expectations in a personal injury lawsuit.
Precedent
A precedent in law is a previously decided case used as a guide for decisions in similar future cases, impacting the rulings and strategies in subsequent personal injury matters.
Pre-existing Condition
A pre-existing condition is a medical issue that existed before an accident or injury, often scrutinized in personal injury cases to differentiate between injuries caused by the incident and prior health issues.
Premises Liability
Premises liability involves a property owner's responsibility for injuries that occur on their property due to unsafe conditions, pivotal in personal injury claims arising from such incidents.
Prescription
Prescription, in a legal sense, may refer to the statutory period within which a lawsuit must be filed, impacting the eligibility to seek redress in personal injury cases.
Pro Bono
Pro bono refers to legal services provided free of charge or at a reduced fee to assist individuals who cannot afford legal representation, occasionally available in personal injury cases.
Prognosis
Prognosis pertains to the anticipated development and outcome of an injury or illness, impacting personal injury claims by influencing anticipated medical costs and impact on quality of life.
Product Liability
Product liability pertains to a manufacturer or seller being held liable for placing a defective product into the consumer's hands, crucial in personal injury cases involving faulty products.
Professional Negligence
Professional negligence occurs when a professional fails to perform their duties to the required standard, potentially forming the basis for personal injury claims if such negligence causes harm.
Proximate Cause
Proximate cause refers to an event sufficiently related to an injury such that the event is deemed legally accountable for the harm, being a crucial component in establishing liability in personal injury cases.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are awarded in personal injury cases to punish the defendant for egregious behavior and to deter others from similar conduct, going beyond compensatory damages.