Short, plain-English definitions of terms used on this site. US or UK tags show where a term mainly applies.
- Comparative negligence US
- A rule that reduces your compensation by your percentage of fault. Under pure comparative negligence you can recover even if mostly at fault; modified rules bar recovery at 50% or 51% fault.
- Contingency fee US
- An attorney fee paid as a percentage of the money recovered, commonly 33% to 40%. If there is no recovery, there is usually no fee.
- Contributory negligence
- In the US, a rule (in Alabama, Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia and D.C.) under which any fault on your part can bar recovery. In England and Wales, a partial defence that reduces compensation by a percentage reflecting your share of blame.
- Economic damages US
- Financial losses that can be documented, such as medical bills, lost wages, lost earning capacity and property damage.
- General damages UK
- Compensation for the injury itself: pain, suffering and loss of amenity (PSLA). Valued using the Judicial College Guidelines or, for road traffic whiplash, the statutory tariff.
- Judicial College Guidelines UK
- Guidelines published for judges in England and Wales setting out typical award brackets for general damages by type and severity of injury. The 18th edition was published on 9 April 2026.
- Lien US
- A legal claim by a health insurer, medical provider or government programme to be repaid from your settlement for costs it covered.
- Loss of amenity UK
- The loss of ability to enjoy life as before the injury, such as hobbies, sport, social life or daily activities.
- Maximum medical improvement (MMI)
- The point at which your condition has stabilised and further recovery is not expected. Claims are often valued once you reach it.
- Multiplier method US
- A way of estimating pain and suffering by multiplying injury-related economic losses by a number, usually between 1.5 and 5, based on severity.
- Non-economic damages US
- Compensation for losses without a receipt: pain, suffering, emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life.
- Official Injury Claim (OIC) portal UK
- The online service for road traffic injury claims in England and Wales where injury damages are £5,000 or less, used by claimants with or without a lawyer.
- Per diem method US
- A way of estimating pain and suffering by assigning a daily amount for each day from the injury until maximum medical improvement.
- Policy limit US
- The maximum an insurance policy will pay for a claim. Settlements above the at-fault party's limit are hard to collect unless other coverage applies.
- PSLA UK
- Pain, suffering and loss of amenity: the harm that general damages compensate.
- Small claims track UK
- The court track for lower-value claims. For personal injury it covers injury damages up to £5,000 in road traffic cases and up to £1,000 in other cases; legal costs are generally not recoverable.
- Special damages UK
- Compensation for financial losses caused by the injury, such as lost earnings, care, travel and treatment costs.
- Statute of limitations
- The deadline for starting a court claim. Usually 2 to 3 years in most US states and 3 years in England and Wales, with exceptions.
- Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage US
- Coverage on your own auto policy that can pay when the at-fault driver's insurance is too low to cover your losses.
- Whiplash tariff UK
- Fixed amounts set by law for road traffic whiplash injuries lasting up to two years in England and Wales, updated for accidents from 31 May 2025.