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A
B C
D E
F G
H I
J K L
M N
O P
Q R
S T
U V
W X Y Z #
Click on the first letter of the
word from the list above to go to the appropriate
section of the glossary.
- W -
Waiver: Knowing and voluntary relinquishment
of a right. Compare with release. Waiver of Immunity:
A means authorized by statute by which a witness,
before testifying or producing evidence, may
relinquish the right to refuse to testify against
himself or herself, thereby making it possible for his
or her testimony to be used against him or her in
future proceedings.
Warrant: Most commonly, a court order
authorizing law enforcement officers to make an arrest
or conduct a search. An affidavit seeking a warrant
must establish probable cause by detailing the facts
upon which the request is based.
Will: A legal declaration that disposes of a
person's property when that person dies.
Willful Negligence: Intentional performance
of an unreasonable act in disregard of a known risk,
making it highly probable that harm will be caused.
Willful negligence usually involves a conscious
indifference to the consequences. There is no clear
distinction between willful negligence and gross
negligence.
Without Prejudice: A claim or cause
dismissed without prejudice may be the subject of a
new lawsuit.
With Prejudice: Applied to orders of
judgment dismissing a case, meaning that the plaintiff
is forever barred from bringing a lawsuit on the same
claim or cause.
Witness: A person who testifies to what he
or she has seen, heard. or otherwise experienced.
Also, a person who observes the signing of a will and
is competent to testify that it is the will-maker's
intended last will and testament.
Workers' Compensation: Insurance required of
almost all employers to help cover their employees'
economic loss due to a job-related injury or illness.
Writ: Broadly, a court order requiring the
performance of some act or giving authority to have
the act done.
Writ of Certiorari: An order issued by the
Supreme Court directing the lower court to transmit
records for a case for which it will hear on appeal.
Wrongful Death Action: An action brought to
recover damages for the death of a person caused by a
wrongful act or neglect or unlawful violence or
negligence of another; provided that no recovery for
the same damages claimed in the wrongful death action
was obtained by the deceased during his lifetime. In
Pennsylvania, the action may be brought by the
decedent's spouse, children, or parents. If the
decedent has no spouse, children or parents, the
action may be brought by a personal representative in
order to recover damages for hospital, nursing,
medical, funeral and estate administration costs.
Wrongful Death Statute: Statutory law that
provides the means for the representative of a
decedent to bring suit alleging that the decedent's
death was caused by someone's willful or negligent act
and to seek compensation for monetary loss suffered
because of the decedent's death.
Wrongful Death Statutes: Laws giving the
family members of a deceased a cause of action if the
death of their loved one resulted because of another's
negligence.
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