If you have been injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be thinking of pursuing compensation. Don’t let complicated legal jargon be a barrier to making a claim.
Our Personal Injury team have put together a list of the most common phrases you will come across throughout your claim so that you can be confident at every step in the process.
Common Personal Injury Legal Terms
Personal Injury Claim
A personal injury claim is a legal case for compensation made by someone who has suffered (mentally or physically) because of another person’s negligence.
Negligence
Negligence is a failure in a duty of care resulting in the physical or psychological harm of a person.
Duty of Care
A duty of care is a legal obligation that someone has to avoid causing harm to others.
Compensation
Compensation is money awarded to someone who has been injured in an accident.
Employer Negligence
Employer Negligence is the term used when an employer fails to provide a safe working environment for their employees.
HSE
The HSE is Britain’s workplace health and safety regulator.
Employer’s Liability Insurance
Employer’s Liability Insurance covers the cost of compensation if an employee claims for an accident at work.
PPE
PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) are any clothes or equipment worn to protect individuals from harm in the workplace. These can include items such as gloves, safety helmets and protective eyewear.
Loss of Earnings
If you are involved in an accident, you may find that you are unable to work. Loss of earnings is the term used to describe the lost wages you may have experienced if you cannot work due to being injured. It’s possible you can claim for loss of earnings as part of your personal injury claim.
Out-of-pocket expenses
Out-of-pocket expenses are any expenses experienced by the injured party following their injury, including travel costs to medical appointments, hospital parking charges and costs of medication.
No Win No Fee
No win no fee means that if we don’t win your case, you don’t have to pay anything towards the work.
Limitation
Limitation is the limit on the amount of time you have by which to make a claim for compensation. In Scotland, you generally have three years in which to raise a court action or settled a claim for compensation for a personal injury. There are some exceptions to this rule, which our personal injury team can chat you through. However, if you have exceeded the time limit, your claim is then time-barred and your case won’t be taken on by a solicitor.
Solatium
The word solatium may be mentioned throughout the course of your claim. This is the legal term used for the compensation received for your injuries.
Pursuer
The pursuer is the injured party making the claim.
Defender
The defender is the person or company responsible for your injuries.
Causation
Causation is the term used for the injuries caused by negligence.