Legal Dictionary
There are a plethora of legal terms involved in your case. Our legal dictionary helps define terms that can become confusing from A-Z.
Damages
Damages A monetary award to plaintiff, generally (but not always) measured by the injury suffered by the plaintiff. Damages are sometimes presumed, and sometimes must be proven through negotiations or in court. Special damages: compensate clients for various out of pocket expenses. General damages: compensate clients for pain and suffering. General damages may also include […]
Date of Injury
The date an accident occurred or the date you became ill. If an injury was caused by one event, the date it happened is the date of injury. If the injury or illness was caused by repeated exposures (CT: cumulative injury), the date of injury is the date you knew or should have known the injury was […]
De Novo
Beginning again; or starting over. Example: If an appeal is granted, a case may be sent back tried again, De Novo.
Death benefits
Benefits paid to the surviving dependents when a work related injury or illness results in death.
Defendant
The party opposing you in a dispute. The defendant will generally be represented by an insurance company, they may represent themselves, or use the services of another attorney.
Delay letter
A letter sent by insurance companies offering an explanation on why payments may be delayed. The letter will generally include what information is necessary for the insurance company to process a claim and timelines on when a decision will be finalized for the insurance payment.
Demurrer
A written response to a complaint. The response occurs when a defendant asserts the law used by a plaintiff is insufficient or inapplicable, even though alleged facts may be true.
Denied Workers’ Compensation Claim
A denied workers’ compensation claim occurs when an insurance company believes your injury or illness is not covered by workers’ compensation and they have notified you of the decision.
Disability
Physical or mental impairments that limit or affect your life activities. A condition that makes engaging in routine daily tasks, physical, social, and work, more difficult.
Disability Management
A process to prevent disability from occurring or to intervene early, following the start of a disability, to mitigate the damage a disability might have on one’s life. Disability management is most effective by starting early in the recovery process for severe injury cases like spinal injuries. It is common for a team of medical professionals, a rehabilitation specialist […]
