| Pain and Suffering |
Distress, both physical and mental, as a result of an injury. These can include visible injury such as broken bones, but also aches, short and long term physical limitations, scarring, depression, anxiety and other emotional issues. These can be recovered as general damages in the case of injury due to someone else's negligence or intent.
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| Pari Delicto
This is a Latin phrase to mean "equal fault."
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| Partial Disability |
In worker's compensation cases, this is when an injury permanently limits an individual's function, but still permits some activity or employment. In worker's compensation cases individuals with permanent partial disability may be entitled to a percentage compensation, pending examination by a physician.
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| Party |
An individual in a lawsuit with a direct interest in the outcome, such as a plaintiff or a defendant.
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| Passenger |
Any rider who pays a fare on a mode of transportation, and thereby has a right to sue for damages for any injuries sustained during that transport, without proof of negligence.
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| Patent Defect |
An obvious flaw in a product.
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| Per Se |
This is a Latin phrase meaning "by itself," or innately.
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| Perjurer |
One who is purposefully deceitful while under an oath, thereby committing perjury.
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| Perjury |
The criminal act of purposefully lying while under oath.
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| Permanent Disability |
Any injury that physically or mentally prevents an individual from performing normal life and work for the remainder of his or her life. Worker's compensation law states that once the condition is stable, permanent disability has been established‹ even if the employee is able to work despite the physical problem.
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| Permanent Injury |
Any injury that physically or mentally restricts a person in employment and other activities of a person for the rest of his/her life. A permanent injury can be a significant element in awarding general damages in a case of negligence or wrongful act.
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| Person |
A human being, or corporation treated as having the rights and obligations of a human being.
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| Personal Jurisdiction |
The court's power over a individual.
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| Personal Representative |
One who stands in the place of another.
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| Petition |
A formal written request to a court for an order of the court, including demands for writs, orders to show cause, modifications of prior orders, continuances and a number of other legal actions.
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| Petition to Terminate, Modify or Suspend Benefits |
In a workers' compensation case, an employer or insurance carrier files this petition in an attempt to modify, suspend or terminate an injured employee's compensation.
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| Plaintiff |
The individual who initiates a lawsuit by filing a complaint.
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| Plead |
In civil lawsuits and petitions, to file any document that pertains to a case.
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| Pleading |
A document filed in a court that pertains to a case.
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| Power of Attorney |
The written authority that allows an individual to take specific legal actions on behalf of another person.
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| Precedent |
A previously reported appeals court opinion used to establish the official rule for deciding the same legal question in the future.
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| Premium |
A fee paid to an insurance company for coverage. This can either be in a lump sum or paid in installments.
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| Preponderance of the Evidence |
When the greater weight and verity of the evidence on one side of a civil lawsuit is more convincing than the other, the preponderance of the evidence is in favor of the more convincing side, even if the less convincing side has more evidence.
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| Presumption |
The assumption, by a court, that a fact is true until there is a preponderance of evidence that either disproves or outweighs the assumption. Each presumption is based upon a particular set of apparent facts paired with established laws, logic, reasoning or individual rights.
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| Presumptively Capable of Negligence |
Georgia law places minors in three categories based on age. Minors four and under are conclusively presumed incapable of negligence. Simply put, under the law, they commit torts. Under the tender years doctrine, minors between five and thirteen presumes contributory or comparative negligence, and the presumption grows weaker as the child nears his or her 13h birthday. Minors 14 and over are presumptively capable of negligence. Under the law they are presumed as being able to commit torts. The burden is on the minor to prove incapacity.
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| Prevailing Party |
The winner of a lawsuit.
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| Privileged Communication |
Verbal or written communications made between an attorney and client, husband and wife, physician and patient, or individual and their religious leader, assuring confidentiality which must not be disclosed in court.
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| Pro Bono |
Short form of the Latin, pro bono publico, or "for the public good." This is when an attorney performs legal work without pay, in order to help social causes.
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| Procedure |
All of the workings of the legal process, and the rules governing that process.
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| Procedural Law |
The method for establishing laws that enforce rights and redress for invasion of rights.
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| Products Liability |
The responsibility of manufacturers, distributors and sellers of products to the public, to deliver products free of defects which could harm customers, and to make reparations for defective products.
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| Promulgate |
Promulgate means to officially announce.
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| Proof |
Proof confirms a fact through evidence.
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| Proximate Cause |
Something which occurs to cause injury during an event. This can be through negligence or intent to harm.
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| Punitive Damages |
This is compensation awarded in a lawsuit as a punishment for intentionally cruel or fraudulent acts. This is the same as exemplary damages
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| Purchaser |
In products liability law, this is any person who buys a product.
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