Facebook Instagram Linkedin

Legal Glossary

Common Legal Terms Explained

Understanding legal terms can feel overwhelming. That’s why we created this glossary—to help you better understand the language used in lawsuits, settlements, and legal communications. Whether you’re involved in a personal injury case, a mass tort claim, or simply researching, this guide can help.

Legal Glossary

Alphabetical
  1. A written statement made under oath, often used as evidence in court.
  2. A formal response by the defendant to a lawsuit, addressing each allegation in the complaint.
  3. A request to a higher court to review and possibly change a lower court’s decision.

  4. A test case in multidistrict litigation (MDL) used to gauge potential jury responses to issues common in other cases.

  5. The failure to meet a legal obligation, which can be a basis for negligence claims.
  6. A claim that a product failed to meet quality, safety, or performance promises.
  7. A written legal argument submitted to a court.
  8. A court-issued schedule and set of procedures for handling a complex lawsuit or MDL.
  9. A lawsuit brought by one or more plaintiffs on behalf of a larger group with similar claims.
  10. The initial legal document filed by a plaintiff to start a lawsuit, outlining the claims.
  11. A payment agreement where the attorney only gets paid if you win your case.
  12. Additional evidence that supports or confirms a claim, often used in sexual assault cases.
  13. Money awarded to a person who has suffered loss or harm due to another’s actions.
  14. The person, company, or entity being sued in a civil lawsuit.
  15. Sworn, out-of-court testimony recorded during the discovery phase of a lawsuit.
  16. The legal process where each side obtains evidence from the other before trial.
  17. A case dismissal that permanently closes the matter and prevents refiling.
  18. A case dismissal that allows the plaintiff to refile in the future.
  19. A legal obligation to act in a way that avoids causing harm to others.
  20. A legal document that provides details about the plaintiff’s personal background and claim, used in mass tort and MDL cases.
  21. A legal claim that a company did not provide adequate instructions or warnings about potential dangers of a product.
  22. Rules that govern legal proceedings in U.S. federal courts.
  23. Legal action involving claims that certain chemical hair straightening products increase the risk of cancer and other health issues.
  24. Complications from surgical mesh implants, such as migration, infection, or adhesion, leading to legal claims.
  25. A surgical procedure to repair a hernia, relevant in Bard Hernia Mesh litigation.
  26. A legal requirement that patients understand and agree to the risks before medical treatment.
  27. Harm suffered by a person, which can be physical, emotional, or financial, that may lead to a legal claim.
  28. Written questions from one party to another in a lawsuit, answered under oath.
  29. A legal principle where multiple defendants can each be responsible for the full amount of damages.
  30. The court’s legal authority to hear a case based on location or subject matter.
  31. A lawsuit involving claims of sexual abuse connected to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often alleging institutional negligence.
  32. Legal responsibility for one’s actions or inactions that caused harm to another.
  33. An instruction to preserve documents and evidence relevant to a potential or ongoing lawsuit.
  34. A type of lawsuit where many individuals file claims against one or a few defendants for similar harm (e.g., defective products, drugs, or devices).
  35. A formal request made to the court for a specific ruling or order.
  36. The person or party who starts a lawsuit by filing a complaint.
  37. A court order that sets the rules or schedule for how the lawsuit will proceed before trial.
  38. An agreement between parties to resolve a case without going to trial.
  39. The legal deadline for filing a lawsuit after an injury or incident.
  40. A civil wrong (not a crime) that causes someone harm, and may be the basis for a lawsuit.

Frequently Asked Question

Because legal jargon shouldn’t block your understanding. We built this glossary to be a simple, reliable tool—so you can confidently navigate terminology you encounter in case materials, court filings, or attorney conversations.

Use the alphabetical A–Z list or search bar at the top to find terms quickly. Think of it as your on-demand legal dictionary—handy, clear, and built to answer your questions.

 

Anyone touched by the legal system: current clients, personas starting a personal injury or mass tort case, or anyone exploring how the law impacts them. We write clearly so you're never left guessing.

 

Absolutely. While many terms are time-tested, we continually expand and refine the glossary—especially to include terms tied to evolving practice areas like products liability, mass torts, and other emerging legal issues.

 

No way. It’s an educational resource—not a substitute for advice tailored to your unique situation. For that, you’ll always want to speak directly with an attorney.

 

Smartly. Wherever relevant, terms in the glossary are linked to deeper blog content or related pages—so you can go beyond definitions and explore how terms apply in real legal contexts.

 

Looking for help?

Contact Us Now!

  • (202) 792-7927
  • Intake@nighgoldenberg.com
  • Mon-Fri, 8.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m.
CONTACT US

Free Consultation

Fill out the form below or call Nigh Goldenberg Raso & Vaughn today for a free consultation 202-792-7927. 

Free Consultation

Fill out the form below or call Nigh Goldenberg Raso & Vaughn today for a free consultation 202-792-7927. 

Skip to content