Understanding the difference between civil and criminal law can make a big difference when you’re navigating a legal issue. Civil claims—like workers’ compensation, personal injury, and other related matters—focus on resolving disputes between individuals or entities, usually over money or injury, rather than criminal punishment. To help you better understand the legal process, we’ve put together a list of common legal terms you may encounter in these types of civil cases.

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These definitions are very general.  For an understanding of how these terms relate to your case, contact our office.  We are happy to help you understand your rights and your legal options as well as the process of how your case will work.  

Plaintiff is the person bringing about the suit.  in the case of a criminal matter, it will most often be referred to as “State vs” rather than a person’s name. 

Affidavit is a sworn statement.  These are used in both civil and criminal cases.  

Statute of Limitations is the time frame set by legislation where affected parties need to take action to enforce rights or seek redress after injury or damage.

Appellant is the person who is appealing the decision or order of the Court. 

Jurisdiction is the area in which something takes place.  This can relate to a Court’s jurisdiction in deciding which court should hear a case or it can pertain to a general area such as where a case took place.   

Order is a decision made by the Court. 

Opening Statement usually is the start of the case for one of the parties.  Each side can do an opening statement.  It is the attorney’s opportunity to lay out their case to a judge or jury. 

Closing Argument is the wrap up of all of the evidence in the case.  Each side will do a closing argument where the attorney will lay out how the evidence during the trial either filled the elements of the cause of action or how it failed to do so. 

Motion to Suppress – this is a request by a party in the case to have some type of information removed (suppressed) from the jury or the judge. 

Deposition is a sworn statement made by a part with some relationship to the case.  It is given outside of the court room testimony.  This can be a witness or a party in the case.   

Testimony a sworn statement given in court by a witness.  

Discovery is the process of sharing information about the case to the opposing side.  

Worker’s Compensation is the legal process to provide benefits to a person who has been injured within the scope of their job.  

Negligence: Failure to exercise the care that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in like circumstances.

Statute of Limitations: The time limit within which a lawsuit must be filed. In Georgia, personal injury claims generally have a two-year statute of limitations.

Comparative Negligence: A legal doctrine that reduces the plaintiff’s damages award by the percentage of fault attributed to them.

Liability: Legal responsibility for one’s acts or omissions.

Damages: Monetary compensation awarded to a person who has suffered loss or injury due to the unlawful act or omission of another.

Workers’ Compensation: A form of insurance providing wage replacement and medical benefits to employees injured in the course of employment.

Medical Treatment: Care provided to a patient for an illness or injury, which may be covered under workers’ compensation.

Lost Wages: Income lost due to inability to work because of injury or illness.

Permanent Partial Disability (PPD): A classification of injury where the worker has a permanent impairment but can still perform some work.

Independent Medical Examination (IME): An evaluation by a doctor who is not involved in the patient’s care, often used in workers’ compensation cases to assess the extent of injuries.