Have you been the victim of a personal injury? According to the CDC, 39.5 million personal injury cases requiring medical treatment happen annually in the U.S. If you're filing a case like this, it'll be helpful to understand legal terminology. Here are some terms that you're likely to hear from your personal injury attorney.

1. Plaintiff

Have you recently been in a car accident due to someone else's negligence? Have you suffered the results of medical malpractice? Filing a case in these instances makes you the plaintiff. The plaintiff is the party that's filing a suit against the person accused of negligence.

2. Defendant

If you file for workers' compensation after suffering a slip-and-fall incident at work, the defendant would be your employer. In other words, the defendant is the person or group who is the liable party. You and your personal injury attorney would build a case against the defendant.

3. Complaint

A complaint is the formal grievance made in such a case. The plaintiff makes a formal complaint against the defendant. If your car was totaled because of someone else's reckless driving, you would file a complaint against the other driver.

4. Answer

When the plaintiff files a formal complaint, it is up to the defendant to make a formal answer. The answer is what the defendant says about their position in the case. In a standard court case, an answer or plea from a defendant would be determined as guilty, not guilty, or innocent.

5. Statute of Limitations

Remember, you don't have forever to file a complaint regarding a personal injury caused by another's negligence. Your personal injury attorney can keep you informed on just how much time you have for your particular case. According to our experts, a case can be filed until two to three years after the incident. However, it's always best to file as soon as possible.

As you can see, there are a number of terms you should become familiar with if you're involved in a personal injury case. It's critical to understand your rights and know as much about the situation as possible. If you need legal experts to help you get the compensation you deserve, contact a personal injury attorney at Wood & Gresham, PC today!