Question | Answer |
accountability | to be held responsible for |
affidavit | voluntary statement of facts sworn to be true before an authority |
allegation | a statement one expects to prove true |
bona fide | in good faith or innocently |
case law | all legal decisions reported on a legal given subject |
complaint | first pleading filed by plaintiff's attorney in a negligence action |
defendant | in criminal cases: person accused of the crime;in civil matters:the person or organization that is being sued |
deposition | a method of pretrial discovery in which questions are answered under oath |
federal law | jurisdiction is given to federal courts in cases involving the interpretation and application of the U.S Constitution, acts of Congress and treaties |
guardian | court-appointed protector for an individual incapable of making his or her own decisions |
iatrogenic injury | an injury resulting from the activity of health care professionals |
indictment | formal written accusation from a grand jury |
larceny | taking another's property without consent |
law, common | principles that have evolved and continue to evolve on the basis of court leisures |
law, statuatory | any law prescribed by the action of a legislature |
liability | an obligation to do, or not to do something; also, an obligation potentially or actually incurred as a result of a negligent act |
liability, corporate | an obligation to do or not to do something that falls on the corporate body |
liability, corporate | an obligation to do or not to do something that falls on the individual |
malpractice | professional misconduct that results in harm to another; negligence of a professional |
negligence | omission(not doing) or commission(doing) of an act that a reasonable and prudent individual would not do under the same conditions "departure from the standard of care" |
negligence, criminal | reckless disregard for the safety of another; willful indifference |
perjury | intentionally providing false testimony under oath |
plaintiff | the person who initiates a lawsuit |
precedent | legal principle, created by a court decision, which provides an example or authority for judges deciding similar issues later |
standard of care | description of conduct that is expected of an individual or professional in a given circumstance |
state law | state statutes, regulations, and principles and rules having the force of law |
subpoena | court order to appear and testify or produce required documents |
tort | a civil wrong; may be intentional or unintentional |
aeger primo | "the patient first" motto of the AST |
doctrine of borrowed servant | the one controlling or directing the employee has greater responsibility than the one paying the employee |
doctrine found corporate negligence | a health institution may be found negligent for failing to ensure that an acceptable level of patient care was provided |