Pennsylvania Car Accident Glossary of Terms

Lawsuit

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 assistant

See paralegal.

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.

Liable or liability

An obligation that one is bound in law to perform.

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.

Ligament

A band of tough, fibrous tissue that connects two or more bones or cartilages, or supporting an organ, fascia, or muscle.

Limited tort or 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 insurer can only seek money damages for economic loss, including medical bills. The insured is prohibited from seeking damages for pain and suffering, except under limited circumstances. Compare with full tort option.

Litigate

To carry on a lawsuit.

Litigation

The process of and proceedings involved in carrying on a lawsuit.

Loss of consortium

Generally, a claim made by one spouse seeking damages for the loss of society, support, and affection of the other spouse because of an injury suffered by that spouse due to the defendant's negligence.

Lumbar

Referring to or pertaining to the part of the spine between the thoracic spine and the pelvis.

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