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Legal Terms and Definitions

Search our dictionary of legal terms and definitions pertaining to Colorado personal injury law.

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A
Accident Report
A formal document detailing the facts of an accident.
Actual Damages
Compensatory damages for proven losses.
Adjuster
Insurance representative handling claims.
Affidavit
A written statement made under oath.
Aggravated Damages
Damages awarded for particularly egregious conduct.
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
Methods of resolving disputes outside of court like mediation or arbitration.
Amicus Curiae
Friend of the court; someone not party to a case who assists with information.
Answer
Defendant's response to a plaintiff's complaint.
Appeal
Request to a higher court to review a lower court's decision.
Arbitration
ADR method where a neutral party makes a binding decision.
Assault
An act causing another to fear imminent harmful contact.
Assumption of Risk
Defense claiming the plaintiff knew and accepted the risks.
At-Fault
The party responsible for causing an accident.
Attractive Nuisance
Hazardous condition likely to attract children like a swimming pool.
Automobile Liability Insurance
Coverage protecting against vehicle accident claims.
B
Battery
Intentional and harmful physical contact with another person.
Bench Trial
Trial conducted without a jury decided by a judge.
Bodily Injury
Physical harm to a person.
Breach of Duty
Failure to fulfill a legal obligation.
Burden of Proof
Obligation to prove one's claims in a lawsuit.
C
Caps on Damages
Legal limits on the amount of damages awarded.
Case Law
Legal principles established in court decisions.
Causation
The link between a defendant's actions and the plaintiff's injury.
Civil Rights
Rights protecting individuals from infringement.
Claim
A request for compensation for losses suffered.
Claimant
Person filing a claim for damages.
Class Action
Lawsuit filed by a group with common claims.
Comparative Fault
Apportionment of fault among multiple parties.
Compensatory Damages
Damages intended to compensate for actual loss.
Complaint
Legal document outlining a plaintiff's claims.
Contingency Fee
Attorney fee paid only if the case is won.
Contributory Negligence
Plaintiff's own negligence contributing to injury.
D
Damages
Monetary compensation for harm or injury.
Defamation
False statements harming a person's reputation.
Defendant
Person or entity being sued.
Defense
Legal argument or strategy used by the defendant.
Demand Letter
Formal letter requesting payment or action.
Deposition
Testimony taken outside court under oath.
Direct Examination
Questioning of a witness by the party who called them.
Disability
A physical or mental impairment affecting a person's life.
Discovery
Pre-trial process of exchanging evidence.
Duty of Care
Legal obligation to avoid causing harm.
E
Economic Damages
Damages covering financial losses.
Emotional Distress
Mental anguish suffered due to an injury.
Ex Parte
Legal action taken without notifying the other party.
Expert Witness
Specialist giving expert testimony.
F
Fault
Legal responsibility for causing harm.
G
General Damages
Compensation for non-economic losses like pain and suffering.
Gross Negligence
Extreme lack of care leading to harm.
Guardian ad Litem
Court-appointed guardian representing a minor's interests.
H
Hearsay
Testimony based on secondhand information.
I
Immunity
Protection from lawsuit or liability.
Indemnity
Compensation for harm or loss.
Informed Consent
Agreement after fully understanding risks involved.
Intentional Tort
Deliberate wrongful act causing harm.
Interrogatories
Written questions requiring answers from the opposing party.
J
Judgment
Court's final decision in a case.
Jury Trial
Trial where a jury determines the outcome.
L
Lawsuit
Legal action taken to enforce a right or claim damages.
Liability
Legal responsibility for one's actions.
Litigation
Process of taking legal action.
M
Malpractice
Professional negligence causing harm.
Mediation
ADR method involving negotiation with a neutral mediator.
Medical Expenses
Costs for medical treatment due to injury.
Mitigation
Effort to reduce damages after an injury.
N
Negligence
Failure to exercise reasonable care.
Non-Economic Damages
Compensation for non-financial harm.
Nuisance
Interference with the enjoyment of property.
P
Pain and Suffering
Physical and emotional distress from injury.
Partial Fault
Shared responsibility in causing an injury.
Personal Injury
Physical or psychological harm to a person.
Plaintiff
Person bringing a lawsuit.
Pleadings
Formal written statements filed with the court.
Premises Liability
Responsibility of property owners for injuries on their property.
Preponderance of Evidence
Standard of proof in civil cases.
Product Liability
Responsibility of manufacturers for defective products.
Proximate Cause
The primary cause of an injury.
Punitive Damages
Damages intended to punish the defendant.
R
Recklessness
Disregard for the safety of others.
Release
Legal document relinquishing rights to pursue further claims.
S
Settlement
Agreement resolving a dispute without trial.
Slip and Fall
Personal injury case involving a fall on someone else's property.
Standard of Care
Degree of care expected in a given situation.
Statute of Limitations
Time limit for filing a lawsuit.
Strict Liability
Liability without proving negligence.
Subpoena
Order requiring someone to testify or provide evidence.
Summary Judgment
Court decision without a full trial.
Survival Action
Lawsuit filed on behalf of a deceased person.
T
Third-Party Claim
Claim filed by someone indirectly involved.
Tort
Civil wrongdoing causing harm or loss.
Tortfeasor
Person who commits a tort.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Serious injury to the brain.
Trespass
Unauthorized entry onto another's property.
Trial
Formal court process to resolve a dispute.
U
Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Insurance covering damages when the at-fault party is underinsured.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Insurance covering damages when the at-fault party has no insurance.
V
Vicarious Liability
Legal responsibility for another's actions.
Voir Dire
Jury selection process.
W
Workers' Compensation
Insurance for work-related injuries.
Wrongful Death
Claim for death caused by another's negligence.
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Denver, CO 80111

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Colorado Springs Injury Lawyers

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Colorado Springs, CO 80903

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Areas We Serve

Denver, Colorado Springs, Aurora, Fort Collins, Lakewood, Thornton, Arvada, Westminster, Greeley, Pueblo, Centennial, Boulder, Highlands Ranch, Longmont, Castle Rock, Loveland, Broomfield, Grand Junction, Commerce City, Parker, Littleton, Brighton, Windsor, Security-Widefield, Northglenn, Erie, Pueblo West, Englewood, Dakota Ridge, Ken Caryl, Wheat Ridge, Lafayette, Fountain, Columbine, Evans, Four Square Mile, Montrose, Louisville, Golden, Durango, Johnstown, Clifton, Sherrelwood, Cimarron Hills, Firestone, Fort Carson, Frederick, CaƱon City, Welby, Greenwood Village, Castle Pines, Black Forest, Lone Tree, Federal Heights, Fruita, Steamboat Springs, Superior, Berthoud, Sterling, Monument, Wellington, Fort Morgan, Berkley, Cherry Creek, Severance, Edwards, Rifle, The Pinery, Fairmount, Glenwood Springs, Gunbarrel, Timnath, Alamosa, Stonegate, Delta, Fort Lupton, Milliken, Roxborough Park, Craig, Cortez, Derby, Evergreen, Redlands, Woodmoor, Gypsum, Lochbuie, Trinidad, Fruitvale, Applewood, Woodland Park, Twin Lakes, Lamar, Eagle, Orchard Mesa, Stratmoor, La Junta, Gunnison, Carbondale, Aspen, Dacono, Mead, Gleneagle, Cherry Hills Village, Avon, Sheridan, Salida, Eaton, Estes Park, Dove Valley, Shaw Heights, Brush, West Pleasant View, Battlement Mesa, Todd Creek, Meridian, Breckenridge, Silverthorne, Edgewater, New Castle, Manitou Springs, Vail, Castle Pines Village, Glendale city, Lincoln Park, El Jebel, Niwot, Monte Vista, Genesee, Basalt, Penrose, Florence, Rocky Ford, Silt, Ponderosa Park, Bennett, Yuma, Orchard City, Strasburg, Burlington, Walsenburg, Buena Vista, Snowmass Village, Sierra Ridge, Platteville, Bayfield, Holly Hills, Inverness, Stepping Stone, Frisco, Ault, Leadville, Acres Green, Palisade, Palmer Lake, Telluride, Meridian Village, Elizabeth, Coal Creek CDP, Cedaredge, Park Center, Las Animas, Meeker, Wray, La Salle, Holyoke, Rangely, Granby, Laporte, Lyons, Keenesburg, Leadville North, Limon, Aristocrat Ranchettes, Olathe, Colorado City, Center, Hayden, Sterling Ranch, Wiggins, Pagosa Springs, Akron, Perry Park, Idaho Springs, Columbine Valley, Crested Butte, Byers, Hudson, Deer Trail, Kersey, Nederland, Loma, Paonia, Fraser, Indian Hills, Kremmling, Del Norte, Parachute, Alamosa East, Cascade-Chipita Park, Springfield, Poncha Springs, Georgetown, Mancos, Ellicott, Ridgway, Julesburg, Mountain Village, Fowler, Aetna Estates, Dotsero, Towaoc, Winter Park, Cripple Creek, Pierce, Ordway, Kittredge, Gilcrest, Dillon, Lazy Acres, Aspen Park, Keystone, Watkins, Howard, Haxtun, Minturn, Manassa, Mount Crested Butte, Hotchkiss, Dolores, Upper Bear Creek, Ouray

About Our Law Firm

Anderson Hemmat, LLC is a personal injury law firm with locations in and around Denver, Colorado, handling all personal injury cases including car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, wrongful death, slip and fall, premises liability and more. Our award-winning Denver injury attorneys have recovered millions of dollars for accident victims. If you were injured in Denver, contact our law firm today, we offer a free initial consultation.