Compensatory damages are court-ordered payments meant to reimburse an injured person for economic and non-economic losses caused by another party. They commonly include medical expenses, lost income, property damage, and pain and suffering. This article explains what compensatory damages are, how they differ from punitive damages, and what they may cover. Understanding Compensatory Damages When […]
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A verdict is the formal decision a jury (or sometimes a judge) reaches after a trial, stating whether a party is liable or a defendant is guilty or not guilty. It’s issued after evidence and arguments are presented and is based on the applicable law and the proof standard (such as “beyond a reasonable doubt”
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An appeal is a formal request asking a higher court to review and potentially change a lower court’s decision. It focuses on legal errors in the trial record, not a new trial or new evidence. This article explains how the appeal process works, what issues can be raised, and what outcomes to expect. An appeal
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A class action lawsuit lets 1 or more plaintiffs sue on behalf of a larger “class” harmed in the same way by the same defendant. It consolidates many similar claims into one case to improve efficiency and access to justice. This article explains certification, notice, settlement, and how class members’ rights are handled. A class
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An interrogatory is a written set of questions one party in a lawsuit sends to another to answer under oath during discovery, usually within 30 days (often with limited extensions). They help uncover key facts, identify witnesses, and narrow disputed issues before trial. This article explains what interrogatories are, typical limits and deadlines, how to
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A motion to dismiss is a request asking the court to throw out a lawsuit because the complaint is legally insufficient, filed improperly, or the court lacks jurisdiction. It’s often raised early in a case to end all or part of the claims before costly discovery and trial. This article explains what a motion to
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Summary judgment is a court ruling issued without a trial when no genuine dispute of material fact exists and one party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. It’s commonly decided on written motions and evidence like affidavits, documents, and deposition excerpts to avoid unnecessary trials. This article explains the legal standard, how
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A default judgment is a court order granting the plaintiff’s requested relief because the defendant failed to respond or appear by the required deadline. It can result in a money judgment, injunction, or other remedies, often without a hearing on the merits. This article explains how default judgments happen, how you can challenge or set
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Discovery is the pretrial process where each side in a lawsuit must exchange relevant, nonprivileged information—often via interrogatories, document requests, and depositions. It’s designed to prevent surprise at trial and help both parties evaluate the strengths, weaknesses, and potential settlement value of a case. This article explains what discovery includes, how it works, typical timelines
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A deposition is sworn, out-of-court testimony taken under oath and recorded—usually by a court reporter—to gather evidence before trial. Attorneys for both sides ask questions, and the answers can be used in court in many cases. This article explains how depositions work, who attends, what to expect, and how to prepare. Understanding Depositions in Legal
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