what is a plantiff or defense attorney

by Kylie Blanda 7 min read

n. the attorney who represents a plaintiff (the suing party) in a lawsuit. In lawyer parlance a "plaintiff's attorney" refers to a lawyer who regularly represents persons who are suing for damages, while a lawyer who is regularly chosen by an insurance company to represent its insureds is called a "defense attorney."

n. the attorney who represents a plaintiff (the suing party) in a lawsuit. In lawyer parlance a "plaintiff's attorney" refers to a lawyer who regularly represents persons who are suing for damages, while a lawyer who is regularly chosen by an insurance company to represent its insureds is called a "defense attorney."

Full Answer

What is a plaintiff attorney?

A plaintiff’s attorney is a lawyer who represents individuals who have been harmed physically or financially. They fight for the rights of the “little guy” against the powerful. Plaintiffs' attorneys typically take on corporations, insurance companies, hospitals, business interests and even governmental organizations.

What are the two words that mean plaintiff and defendant?

n. the attorney who represents a plaintiff (the suing party) in a lawsuit. In lawyer parlance a "plaintiff's attorney" refers to a lawyer who regularly represents persons who are suing for damages, while a lawyer who is regularly chosen by an insurance company to represent its insureds is called a "defense attorney."

Who is an appellant in a plaintiff vs defendant case?

Aug 22, 2013 · What I really mean here is that as plaintiff’s lawyers, since we generally choose our cases, we are able to serve causes that are in accord with our conscience. We aren’t forced to compromise our values or our decency to defend people or companies in cases where they engaged in unsafe or illegal conduct causing harm to others.

What is the difference between a plaintiff and a claimant?

Dec 02, 2020 · The plaintiff, AKA as the claimant, is the person who brings a lawsuit to court. The other party in a civil lawsuit is the defendant or respondent. Civil law typically deals with the failure of one party to do something or avoid doing something that causes harm to another person.

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What is the difference between a plaintiff and defense?

In a civil case, the person or entity that files the lawsuit is called the plaintiff. The person or entity being sued is called the defendant. In a civil case, the “defendant” is the person or entity being sued and the “plaintiff” is the person or entity filing the lawsuit.

What is defendant and plaintiff?

plaintiff, the party who brings a legal action or in whose name it is brought—as opposed to the defendant, the party who is being sued. The term corresponds to petitioner in equity and civil law and to libelant in admiralty.

What is another name for plaintiff?

In this page you can discover 19 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for plaintiff, like: accuser, complainant, prosecutor, claimant, pursuer, litigant, defendant, the-prosecution, debtor, law and suer.

What is defendant law?

In a civil matter, the party sued by the plaintiff; in a criminal matter, the party who is prosecuted.

What is a plaintiff's attorney?

the attorney who represents a plaintiff (the suing party) in a lawsuit. In lawyer parlance a "plaintiff's attorney" refers to a lawyer who regularly represents persons who are suing for damages, while a lawyer who is regularly chosen by an insurance company to represent its insureds is called a "defense attorney.".

Can a judgment creditor obtain discovery?

A judgment-creditor plaintiff may have the ability to obtain discovery from the attorney of a judgment-debtor in instances where the plaintiff's attorney can prove the documents could have been obtained from the defendant by a court process when they were in their possession, a Fairfax circuit judge has ruled.

What is the difference between a plaintiff and a defendant?

What’s the difference between a plaintiff and a defendant? The plaintiff is a person or entity that files a lawsuit. The lawsuit includes a complaint and a summons which must be filed in the appropriate court. The defendant the person or entity that is being sued. Plaintiff and defendant are terms usually used in civil cases and/or a civil lawsuit.

What are the two words used frequently in a lawyer's case?

Two words used frequently are plaintiff and defendant. Understanding the differences between the two and when to use them is extremely important when talking about your case.

What is the burden of proof in civil cases?

The burden of proof in civil cases is usually preponderance of the evidence. This refers to the weight of the evidence, not the amount. The plaintiff must convince the judge or jury that there is a greater than 50% chance that the claim is true. In criminal cases, the charges must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

What is the appellant in a case?

When a case is appealed, the parties involved are seldom referred to as the plaintiff and defendant. The party appealing the ruling is called the appellant. The party responding to the appeal is called the appellee. It does not matter which side they were on in the original case.

What is a counter claim?

If a plaintiff sues the defendant, the defendant can turn around and file a claim against the plaintiff. This is referred to as a “counterclaim”. When this happens, the defendant is called the “counter-claimant” or “counter-plaintiff”. The plaintiff can be referred to as the counter-defendant. When you are entering a lawsuit, your attorney should ...

Is segregation in schools unconstitutional?

In this case, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously that racial segregation of children in public schools is unconstitutional. The plaintiff, Oliver Brown, filed a class-action lawsuit against the Board of Education in Topeka, Kansas after his daughter was not allowed to attend all-white elementary schools.

What is the difference between a plaintiff and a defendant?

What’s the difference between a plaintiff and a defendant? In a civil case, the person or entity that files the lawsuit is called the plaintiff. The person or entity being sued is called the defendant. In a civil case , the “defendant” is the person or entity being sued and the “plaintiff” is the person or entity filing the lawsuit.

What is the first document filed in court?

Because the plaintiff files the lawsuit, the plaintiff is responsible for drafting the complaint. The “complaint” is the first document filed in court for the case. The complaint states the factual and legal basis for the plaintiff’s claim. A copy of the complaint is served to the defendant and the defendant is required to file an answer.

What is a complaint in court?

The “complaint” is the first document filed in court for the case. The complaint states the factual and legal basis for the plaintiff’s claim. A copy of the complaint is served to the defendant and the defendant is required to file an answer. The “answer” is simply the defendant’s response to each allegation in the complaint.

What is an answer in a complaint?

The “answer” is simply the defendant’s response to each allegation in the complaint.

What is the burden of proof in a civil case?

The burden of proof. One of the critical differences between a plaintiff and defendant in a civil case is that the plaintiff is generally charged with the burden of proving the allegations. In other words, if John sues Linda for car accident damages since she was texting and driving, it’s not up to Linda to prove that she wasn’t driving distracted.

What is an appeal in court?

An appeal is a written petition to a higher court to modify or reverse a decision of a lower court. The party that appeals a ruling (regardless of whether it’s the plaintiff or defendant) is called the “appellant.”. The other party responding to the appeal is called the “appellee.”. Counterclaims.

What is the appellant in a lawsuit?

The party that appeals a ruling (regardless of whether it’s the plaintiff or defendant) is called the “appellant.”. The other party responding to the appeal is called the “appellee.”. Counterclaims. If a defendant is sued by a plaintiff, the defendant can turn around and assert a claim against the plaintiff.

How to start a lawsuit?

To begin a lawsuit, the plaintiff must file a complaint and a summons in the appropriate court. These are two separate documents. The complaint sets up the reasons for the lawsuit by describing what the defendant did wrong ( breach of contract, for example). The summons includes a copy of the complaint and sets specific requirements for ...

What is a summons for a lawsuit?

The summons includes a copy of the complaint and sets specific requirements for the other party to respond.

Who is Jean Murray?

Jean Murray, MBA, Ph.D., is an experienced business writer and teacher. She has written for The Balance on U.S. business law and taxes since 2008. The plaintiff is the person who brings a lawsuit to court. In civil law cases, the plaintiff is also sometimes referred to as the claimant—that is, the person bringing a claim against another person.

Who is the plaintiff in a civil case?

The plaintiff is the person who brings a lawsuit to court. In civil law cases, the plaintiff is also sometimes referred to as the claimant—that is, the person bringing a claim against another person. The other party in a civil lawsuit is the defendant or respondent (the one who responds to the suit). The defendant is the person being sued ...

How long does a defendant have to respond to a summons?

A defendant or their attorney has 21 days after the day they received the summons to serve on the plaintiff or their attorney a reply to the summons. The defendant must also file the response with the court. Failure to respond will result in a judgment by default against them. 1 .

Who has the burden of proof?

The plaintiff has the burden of proof to prove their case is true. That makes sense because the plaintiff is the party that brought the suit to court, so they should have to prove why it should be heard and why their claim has validity. In civil cases, the burden of proof standard is usually preponderance of evidence.

Who has the burden of proof to prove their case is true?

The plaintiff has the burden of proof to prove their case is true. That makes sense because the plaintiff is the party that brought the suit to court, so they should have to prove why it should be heard and why their claim has validity.

What is a deposition in a court case?

A deposition is the process in which a witness is asked questions under oath by an attorney. Testifying at a deposition is often a mysterious and nerve racking event for most people. To give a successful deposition it is important to understand a couple of things. First, you need to know what the defense attorney is trying to accomplish ...

Is a deposition a trial?

No other explanation is necessary. Always remember a deposition is not a trial. If your case goes to trial you will have an opportunity to tell your entire story through much friendlier direct examination by your attorney. 4) My fourth rule is to keep calm. Don’t get agitated by the defense attorney’s questions.

What is the goal of a deposition?

Most defense attorneys have two main goals during a deposition. The first goal is to get your complete story. Questions will generally range from how the accident happened, to what your injuries and treatment were, to what types of problems you are having today as a result of your accident.

Is it normal to be nervous when you testify?

Nervousness, however, is normal and usually passes after a few minutes of questions.

Is it normal to be nervous during a deposition?

Nervousness, however, is normal and usually passes after a few minutes of questions. Don’t be afraid to be a little nervous. If you remember the defense attorney’s goals, review your case with your attorney and follow the four rules proposed here, your deposition will almost certainly be a success.

Who is Steven Palermo?

Steven Palermo is the managing partner for Palermo Law, Long Island’s Personal Injury Law Firm. He has been helping people receive compensation for their injuries for over 21 years. He focuses on cases involving car accidents, truck accidents, construction accidents and slip and fall injuries.

What are the 4 commandments?

I refer to these as the four commandments. 1) Tell the truth. Nothing hurts a case more then a lie. Even a white lie can kill your case. Once you are caught in a lie your credibility is ruined. While the truth sometimes hurts a case, it is never as bad as a lie. Every case has a weakness, so we don’t run from them with a lie, ...

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Learn How to Use These Legal Terms Correctly in A Personal Injury Case

What’s The Difference Between A Plaintiff and A Defendant?

  • The plaintiff is a person or entity that files a lawsuit. The lawsuit includes a complaint and a summons which must be filed in the appropriate court. The defendant the person or entity that is being sued. Plaintiff and defendant are terms usually used in civil cases and/or a civil lawsuit. These can be anything from personal injury claims to negli...
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Remembering The Difference

  • A simple way to remember the difference between the two terms is that defendant has the word defend in it. So, defendants must defend or be defended against any wrongdoing. When you thinking of criminal defendants, OJ Simpson and Casey Anthony may come to mind. Both cases gained tremendous media attention where both defendants were acquitted of the murder charg…
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The Burden of Proof

  • While making distinctions between the two terms plaintiff and defendant, it is important to know that in a civil case, the plaintiff generally has the burden of proof. This means that the plaintiff must prove the allegations. The burden of proof in civil cases is usually preponderance of the evidence. This refers to the weight of the evidence, not the amount. The plaintiff must convince t…
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Learn How to Use These Legal Terms Correctly in A Personal Injury Case

What’s The Difference Between A Plaintiff and A Defendant?

  • In a civil case, the person or entity that files the lawsuit is called the plaintiff. The person or entity being sued is called the defendant. Let’s look at an example. John is stopped at a red light. Linda is driving behind John and texting on her cell phone. As a result, Linda doesn’t see John’s car and she rear-ends him. John is seriously injure...
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Remembering The Difference

  • If you’re involved in a lawsuit, you’re likely thinking about a million different things at once. So, how are you supposed to remember which party is the plaintiff and which is the defendant? The word “plaintiff” comes from the Old French word “plaintive,” which means to express or suffer woe – generally an accurate description of a plaintiff! The word “defendant” contains the word “defend,…
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The Burden of Proof

  • One of the critical differences between a plaintiff and defendant in a civil case is that the plaintiff is generally charged with the burden of proving the allegations. In other words, if John sues Linda for car accident damages since she was texting and driving, it’s not up to Linda to prove that she wasn’t driving distracted. Rather, it’s John’s responsibility (or burden) to prove that Linda was in f…
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Other Terms to Know

  • There are a couple of common situations where the parties involved in a civil lawsuit are referred to something other than plaintiff and defendant. 1. Appeals.When a case is appealed, the terms “plaintiff” and “defendant” are seldom used. An appeal is a written petition to a higher court to modify or reverse a decision of a lower court. The party that appeals a ruling (regardless of whet…
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Plaintiff vs Defendant Definition

  • A plaintiff is a person who accuses someone and files a lawsuit against them. On the contrary, a defendant is charged in a case or being sued in the process. These two terms are the most commonly used in civil lawsuits. If you want to know about the burden of proof between plaintiff vs defendant, let us tell you a plaintiff has more responsibility....
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Let’s Look at An Example

  • If you want to grasp the concept of plaintiff vs defendant, let us take you down the road with an example. ‘Martin was driving his car while he was texting someone. He accidentally overlooks the red light and forgets to stop. As a result, he hits one of the passers, Rob. Now, Rob is seriously injured, and he files for a lawsuit against Martin.’ So, what do you think, who is the plaintiff here, …
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Plaintiff vs Defendant-How to Remember The difference?

  • Unfortunately, if you get tangled in a lawsuit, will you still remember the difference between plaintiff vs defendant. Well, we are giving you some simple tricks to remember even during tough times. The word ‘plaintiff’ comes from the old French word ‘plaintive.’ Plaintive means someone expressing their suffering. So, in a nutshell, a plaintiff has an issue and likes to resolve it. So, wh…
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Plaintiff vs Defendant Court Cases

  • In the Blind Vs. Target Corporation [2006] case, the Blind community was the plaintiff, and Target Corporation was the defendant. Now, the website of Target Corporation was not accessible for blind people, and it was discriminatory. However, the court ruled in favor of the plaintiff because Target Corporation claims the equal enjoyment of goods and services to all people. As a result, t…
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Frequently Asked Questions

  • If you have already grasped the difference between plaintiff vs defendant, we implore you to ignore this section. However, if you still have some questions, please take a look below;
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Conclusion

  • Are you still with us? If so, then you must have got a good idea of plaintiff vs defendant by now. We have also mentioned a few other legal terms here so that you can get advanced knowledge. If you have further queries regarding this subject, please post them in the comment section. Read More: 1. How personal injury lawyer can help you in 2021 2. Property Lawyers – Everything You …
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