The Law Dictionary for Everyone
Causation is a term used to refer to the relationship between a person’s actions and the result of those actions. In a legal sense, causation is used to connect the dots between a person’s actions, such as driving under the influence, and the result, such as an accident causing serious injuries. Establishing causation is not, in itself, enough to determine […]
Read moreVicarious liability, sometimes referred to as “imputed liability,” is a legal concept that assigns liability to an individual who did not actually cause the harm, but who has a specific superior legal relationship to the person who did cause the harm. Vicarious liability most commonly comes into play when an employee has acted in a negligent manner for which the […]
Read moreThe term Statute of Frauds refers to a law that requires certain types of contracts be made in writing, and signed by the parties to the agreement. Such statutes, which vary by state, serve to protect the parties from fraudulent acts in respect to the contract. The contract need not be written in formal language, and it is not even […]
Read moreThe term racketeering refers to the operation of a business that causes a problem, with the intent to offer to solve the problem. These problems involve illegal activities, and racketeering is just as illegal as the other party’s illegal business. Racketeering may include services to solve problems related to someone’s involvement in such unlawful activities as prostitution rings, gambling operations, […]
Read morePrice gouging is a term that refers to the practice of raising the price of goods, services, or commodities, to an unreasonable or unfair level. Such an increase in price is often a result of a sudden increase of demand and shortage of goods, such as in the event of a natural disaster or other crisis, and it is illegal […]
Read moreSlander is a legal term that refers to a false, oral statement about an individual that harms his reputation or standing within the community. Slander is not a crime, but a civil wrong that is subject to being held responsible in a civil lawsuit. Statements made about a person must be factual, or they must express the legitimate opinion of […]
Read moreThe term pecuniary refers to something paid or given in money, or a monetary interest in something. For example, a person who owns stock in a company is said to have a pecuniary interest in the company, because his investment, loss, and gains can be measured in dollars. A person could receive a pecuniary award from a lawsuit, or be […]
Read moreMedical malpractice is a legal term that refers to negligence by an act, or failure to act, by a doctor or other healthcare provider. When a medical professional’s treatment fails to meet the accepted standard within the medical community, and it causes injury to, or death of, the patient, it is considered to be malpractice. Medical malpractice is a very […]
Read moreMalicious prosecution it a legal term that refers to the filing of a civil or criminal case that has no probable cause, and is filed for some purpose other than obtaining justice. When such a case is decided in favor of the defendant, he may turn around and file a civil lawsuit against the plaintiff or prosecutor for malicious prosecution, […]
Read moreLibel meaning in law Libel is a legal term that refers to the making of false and malicious statements about a person in some type of print or writing. This can include false and malicious statements made in writing, printed on signs, or published on a public forum. Publishing defamatory statements or pictures through the media is also considered libel. […]
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