Vocab "Personal Injury Non-Auto"

Catastrophic Injury

• Severe injuries leading to permanent disability, such as brain or spinal damage.

Claim

• A demand for compensation for injury or loss.

Claimant

• A person seeking compensation for damages.

Commercial Policy

• Insurance contract protecting businesses from financial loss.
• High policy limits (often 500k+).
• Examples: Walmart, Target, Amazon, FedEx.

Damages

• Monetary compensation sought for losses.

Defendant (At-Fault Party)

• The person or party being sued.

Denied Liability

• Refusal by a party or their insurance company to accept responsibility.
• Often requires further evidence or legal action.

Disputed Liability

• Disagreement over responsibility for an accident or damage.
• Can lead to delays and litigation.

Dog Bite Case (Strict Liability)

• Owner is legally responsible for injuries, regardless of past behavior.
• States like California have strict liability laws.

Economic Damages

• Monetary losses resulting from an injury or accident (medical expenses, lost wages).

Establishing Liability

• Proving a party's legal responsibility for causing harm.

Excess Policy

• Offers additional coverage beyond primary policy limits.
• Does not widen coverage, only increases limits.
• Auto limits typically need to be at least 100/300 or 250/500 for umbrella coverage.

Government Claim

• Formal request for compensation from a government entity.
• Used in cases of government negligence or misconduct.

Government Entity

• Federal, state, or local organizations.

Government Immunity

• Legal protection preventing government entities from lawsuits for official duties.
• It exists but often has exceptions for negligence.

Homeowners' Policy

• Insurance coverage for homeowners.
• Covers liability for injuries on their property and sometimes medical payments.
• Examples of covered injuries: slip and fall, trip and fall, dog bite.

Inadequate Security

• Insufficient security measures, which can lead to premises liability claims.

Incident Report (Premise)

• Documentation of accidents, inspections, or conditions on property.
• Serves as an official record.

Liability

• Legal responsibility for one's actions or omissions.

Licensed Contractor

• Professionals with certifications and licenses to perform construction work.
• Necessary for safety and compliance.

Maintenance Records

• Documentation of property maintenance activities.
• Helps assess safety, liability, and operations.

Negligence

• Failure to take reasonable care to prevent injury or loss.

No Notice (Slip Test)

• Property owner's lack of knowledge of a hazardous condition.
• Makes it harder to prove liability for the injured party.

Non-Compliance with Building Codes

• Failure to meet building code standards.
• Can create hazardous conditions and liability for owners.

Objective

• Based on facts and verifiable evidence rather than opinions.

Open Policy

• Insurance policy with no predetermined payout limits.
• Payouts based on actual damages.

Pain and Suffering

• Physical and emotional distress caused by an injury.

Party

• Individuals or entities in a legal process or agreement.

Personal Injury

• Harm caused to a person's body, mind, or emotions.

Plaintiff (Client)

• Person filing a lawsuit.

Policy Limits (Coverage Limits)

• Maximum amount an insurer will pay for a covered loss.

Poor Lighting Hazard

• Creates safety risks due to insufficient illumination.
• A common concern in premises liability cases.

Premise Liability

• Property owners' responsibility for accidents occurring on their property.
• Covers unsafe or hazardous conditions.

Product Liability

• Manufacturers, distributors, or sellers are responsible for defective products causing harm.

Property Management

• Oversight and control of real estate properties.
• Includes maintaining, managing tenants, and maximizing return.

Renter's Policy

• Insurance coverage for renters.

Rise over Run Hazard (Stairs)

• Uneven stair dimensions (incorrect rise and run) can cause tripping or falls.
• Important safety hazard to assess.

Secretary of State Business Search

• Provides information about registered businesses.
• Used to verify business information.

Settlement

• Agreement to resolve a case without trial.

Site Inspection (Expert)

• Detailed examination of a location by specialists in relevant fields.
• Provides insights for liability or safety assessment.

Slip and Fall

• Incident of losing footing and falling on a slippery or hazardous surface.

Slip Test (Coefficient of Friction - COF)

• Measures slip resistance of surfaces.
• Higher COF indicates more slip resistance and less risk.

Soft Tissue Injury

• Injury to muscles, ligaments, or tendons.
• Often difficult to quantify.

Statement of Facts

• Concise summary of relevant events and circumstances.

Statute of Limitations

• Time limit for filing a lawsuit after an injury.

Strict Liability

• A legal doctrine holding a party responsible for an injury regardless of fault.
• Applied in specific areas, such as dog bite cases or abnormally dangerous activities.

Subjective

• Based on personal feelings, experiences, or interpretations.

Sweep Sheets

• Routine monitoring for safety hazards (spills, debris, obstacles).

Swimming Pool Accidents (Attractive Nuisance Doctrine)

• Injuries or accidents occurring in or around swimming pools.
• Owners or operators may be held liable for negligence.

Tender of Claim

• Formal request for another party to assume responsibility for a claim.

Tender Policy Limit

• Insurer's offer to pay the maximum coverage available.

Third-Party Claim (3P)

• A claim filed against another party's insurance policy.

Traumatic Brain Injury

• Serious injury to the brain due to an impact.

Trip and Fall

• Incident where a person trips and falls due to obstacles or uneven surfaces.
• Property owners potentially liable if unsafe conditions exist.

Unlicensed Contractor

• Persons lacking required licenses to perform construction work.
• Can create risks for both contractor and clients.

Watercraft Policy

• Insurance coverage for boats and other watercrafts.
• Protects against damage, liability, and losses.

Test your knowledge on catastrophic injuries, liability claims, and insurance policies. This quiz covers essential terms such as damages, defendants, and the implications of strict liability in dog bite cases. Prepare to understand legal responsibilities and the nuances of compensation claims.