Street Law Torts Vocab Quiz

Common Law

A court system in which court decisions establish legal principles and rules of law

Contingency fee

The fee paid to an attorney based on a percentage of the sum the client is awarded in a lawsuit

Class action

a lawsuit brought by one or more persons on behalf of a larger group

percedent

appellate court decision on a legal decision that guides future cases with similar questions

Waive

to give up some right, privilege, or benefit voluntarily

Immune

exempt from penalties, payments, or legal requirements

Civil Law

All law that is not criminal, including the law of torts

Strict Liability

The legal responsibility for damage or injury even if you are not negligent

Negligence

the failure to put a reasonable amount of care into doing or not doing something that results in someone harmed

Liability

the defendant in a tort case incurs liability for failing to use reasonable care resulting in harm

Damages

money asked for or paid by court order to a plaintiff for harm

Judgement

a court's decision in a civil case

Deep pockets

a description of the person or organization among many possible defendants who is best able to pay damages

Intentional wrong

an action taken deliberately to harm another person and/or his or her property

Statues

written laws enacted by legislatures

Settlement

a mutual agreement between two sides in a civil lawsuit

Remedy

what is done to compensate for an injury or to enforce some right

Tort

a bleach of some obligation, causing harm to someone a civil wrong