Personal Injury, Work Comp, & Social Security Disability Legal Terms

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L

lawsuit or suit. Generally, a court action brought by one person, the plaintiff, against another, the defendant , seeking compensation for some injury or enforcement of a right.

leading case. Case regarded as having determined the law on a particular point, thus becoming a guide for later decisions.

legal cause. Substantial factor in bringing about the harm. See also proximate cause.

legal fiction. Assumption of a fact that may or may not be true made by a judge to decide a legal question.

liability. An obligation that one is bound in law to perform; usually involves the payment of money damages.

liberal construction. Judicial interpretation of the law whereby the judge expands the literal meaning of the statute to meet cases that are clearly within the spirit or reason of the law. Compare with strict construction whereby the judge adheres to the literal meaning of the words.

licensee. In civil law, a person who enters land with consent, but nothing more.

limited tort option. In Pennsylvania, purchasers of motor vehicle insurance can choose "limited tort," which restricts their right to seek money damages for an accident caused by another driver. Under limited tort, the insured can only seek money damages for economic loss, including medical bills. The insured is prohibited from seeking damages for pain and suffering, except under certain limited circumstances. Compare with full tort option.

lump sum. See compromise and release.