a description of the person or organization, among many possible defendants, best able to pay damages and therefore most likely to be sued in a tort case
the level of certainty and the degree of evidence necessary to establish proof in a criminal or civil proceeding. The standard of proof in a criminal trial is generally beyond a reasonable doubt, whereas a civil case generally requires the lesser standard
a form of automobile or accident insurance (available in only a few states) in which each person's insurance company pays up to a certain share of damages, regardless of fault
a child; a person under the legal age of adulthood, usually 18 or 21
legal responsibility; the obligation to do or not do something. The defendant in a tort case incurs liability for failing to use reasonable care, resulting in harm to the plaintiff.
the only solution, or compensation, available to a plaintiff in a particular legal situation
insurance that protects drivers from those with no insurance or inadequate insurance. It compensates the insured for the personal injuries or damage the uninsured driver caused.
the type of coverage or insurance that pays for injuries to other people or damage to property if the individual insured is responsible for an accident during the term of the contract
a legally recognized excuse for a defendant's actions, such as implied consent, privilege, and self defense, which may remove liability for certain offenses
workers' _____ system -- a system of compensating employees who are injured on the job. These benefits are paid no matter who caused the accident, but limit a worker's ability to collect damages through the tort system.
what is done to compensate for an injury or to enforce some right
a legally enforceable agreement between two or more people to exchange something of value
failure to meet acceptable standards of practice in any professional or official position; often the basis for lawsuits by clients or patients against their attorney or physician
to give up some right, privilege, or benefit voluntarily
the failure to exercise a reasonable amount of care in either doing or not doing something, resulting in harm or injury to another person