accidents and injuries

a.k.a.

A.K.A. is the abbreviation of “also known as.” It is often used to specify a party’s aliases or nicknames in a case.

[Last updated in June of 2022 by the Wex Definitions Team]

abandon

Abandon refers to the act of abandonment. A party can “abandon” in multiple fields of law and abandoning generally, though not always, involves voluntarily giving up a right.

See abandonment for more information.

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able to work

The definition of “able to work” is defined as capable of employment. A person who is able to work is ineligible to receive unemployment benefits on the basis of illness or injury.

See, e.g., International Union, et al. v...

abnormally dangerous activity

An abnormally dangerous activity is related to tort law. The Restatement of Torts defines it as an activity that (1) is not of common usage, and (2) creates a foreseeable and highly significant risk of physical harm even when reasonable care...

act of God

An act of God refers to a severe, unanticipated natural event for which no human is responsible. Despite its facial religious connections, the usefulness of the term means “act of God” is frequently used in otherwise secular statutory and...

action

An action refers to a judicial proceeding. If a party brings a civil or criminal case against you, an action has been brought against you. The party bringing the action is the plaintiff /prosecution respectively.

[Last updated in...

actionable

A claim is actionable if there exist sufficient circumstances to meet the requirements of a cause of action. For example, a claim for the tort of battery is actionable if a person intentionally and without your consent made contact with you...

actual cause

Actual cause is a necessary element for both liability in civil cases and a guilty verdict under much of criminal law. In both civil and criminal cases, actual cause is determined by the but-for cause test; however, some jurisdictions also...

actual damages

In tort law, actual damages, also known as compensatory damages, are damages awarded by a court equivalent to the loss a party suffered. If a party’s right was technically violated but they suffered no harm or losses, a court may instead...

additur

Additur is a process whereby a judge increases the amount of damages awarded by a jury. This can occur if the judge finds the jury’s award to be insufficient based on the evidence presented during the trial. Additur is typically offered as an...

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