Legal-ease: Our glossary of terms

Every profession has its own specialized language…and lawyers, healthcare professionals, government departments and insurance companies are no exception.

We’ve put together a handy alphabetical list of definitions to help you better understand the forms you may need to fill out after an accident and that person sitting on the other side of the table. (Unless, of course, that person is from Findlay Personal Injury Lawyers. We do our absolute best to never slip into lawyer-speak.)

The list is too long to publish in one post. In fact, we’ll only get to the As today. But check back over the next few weeks as we publish more posts. Eventually you’ll have an A to Z guide to help you through the mumbo-jumbo of healthcare visits, insurance documents and legal procedures.

Arbitration: A method of alternative dispute resolution used when two parties are unable to agree. An arbitrator, who is a neutral third party, makes the final binding decision to settle the dispute.

Accident Benefits: These benefits, paid by the auto insurance company, are available to anyone injured in a car accident in Ontario regardless of who was at fault. Types of accident benefits include income replacement, attendant care, medical treatment and rehabilitation, visitor expenses, housekeeping expenses, caregiver expenses, and death and funeral expenses. Accident benefits are governed by the Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule, which is a regulation made under the Insurance Act of Ontario.

Acquired Brain Injury (ABI): Damage or injury to the brain that occurs as a result of trauma and impairs the function of the brain. An ABI occurs after birth and isn’t the result of a congenital or degenerative disorder.

Activities of Daily Living: Activities that an injured person usually carried out on a daily basis before they were injured, including recreational activities, housekeeping and home maintenance tasks, health and personal hygiene tasks, and meal preparation.

Adjuster: A representative of the insurance company who is assigned to insurance claims. An adjuster is responsible for gathering information, assessing and monitoring the claim and making payments according to the insurance policy.

Affidavit: A written statement, confirmed by oath and sworn before a lawyer, which presents evidence and affirms facts with respect to a claim.

Appeal: When a defeated party makes a request to a supervisory court to overturn the legal ruling of a lower court.

Attendant Care: A type of accident benefit available to an injured party when they require assistance with their personal care, such as dressing, supervision, feeding and bathing. If the injured party is eligible for this benefit, the insurance company will pay the person or company that provides the care.