Torts & Personal Injury Glossary (A–Z) | Spanish-English
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Torts & Personal Injury
The Law of Wrongs: In the vast landscape of civil law, torts occupy the most ground. A tort is a civil wrong (other than a breach of contract) that causes harm to another person. It is the legal mechanism by which society says, "You broke it, you bought it."
The Elements of Negligence: The vast majority of injury cases turn on four pillars:
1. Duty: The legal obligation to act with care.
2. Breach: The failure to meet that standard.
3. Causation: The link between the breach and the injury.
4. Damages: The actual harm suffered.
1. Duty: The legal obligation to act with care.
2. Breach: The failure to meet that standard.
3. Causation: The link between the breach and the injury.
4. Damages: The actual harm suffered.
This glossary is heavy on medical-legal terminology because injury is the currency of torts. Interpreters must distinguish between soft tissue injuries (like whiplash) and catastrophic injuries (like TBI).
Whether you are interpreting a deposition for a slip-and-fall case or a mediation for a wrongful death claim, the terms in this glossary provide the language necessary to seek redress for harm.
A
Accident ReconstructionReconstrucción del accidente
Definition: Scientific analysis of how a collision or incident occurred.
Notes: Often used in motor vehicle and wrongful death cases.
Notes: Often used in motor vehicle and wrongful death cases.
Actual DamagesDaños reales
Definition: Monetary compensation for proven losses such as medical bills and lost wages.
Assault (Civil)Agravio por amenaza de daño / asalto civil
Definition: Intentional act creating reasonable fear of imminent harmful or offensive contact.
Assumption of RiskAsunción del riesgo
Definition: Defense claiming the injured party knowingly and voluntarily accepted a hazard.
Attractive Nuisance DoctrineDoctrina de molestias atractivas
Definition: Rule making property owners liable for harm to children caused by dangerous enticing conditions.
B
Battery (Civil)Agravio por contacto físico / agresión civil
Definition: Intentional harmful or offensive physical contact with another person.
Bodily InjuryLesión corporal
Definition: Physical harm to a person’s body.
Breach of DutyIncumplimiento del deber
Definition: Failure to act with the level of care a reasonably prudent person would use.
Burden of Proof (Civil)Carga de la prueba (civil)
Definition: Obligation to prove claims by a preponderance of the evidence.
Business InviteeInvitado comercial
Definition: Person invited onto property for business purposes; owed highest duty of care.
C
Catastrophic InjuryLesión catastrófica
Definition: Severe injury causing long-term disability or loss of function.
Causation (Legal Cause)Causalidad (causa legal)
Definition: Connection between defendant’s conduct and plaintiff’s injury.
Comparative NegligenceNegligencia comparativa
Definition: System where fault is allocated by percentages and damages reduced accordingly.
Compensation for Pain and SufferingCompensación por dolor y sufrimiento
Definition: Non-economic damages for physical pain and emotional distress.
Contingency Fee AgreementAcuerdo de honorarios contingentes
Definition: Fee arrangement where attorney is paid a percentage of recovery only if case is won.
Contributory NegligenceNegligencia contributiva
Definition: Doctrine barring recovery if plaintiff is even slightly at fault.
D
DamagesDaños (económicos / no económicos / punitivos)
Definition: Monetary awards intended to compensate or punish.
DefamationDifamación (libelo / calumnia)
Definition: False statement communicated to others that harms reputation.
Diminished Earning CapacityCapacidad de ingresos reducida
Definition: Reduction in future ability to earn income due to injury.
Discovery RuleRegla del descubrimiento
Definition: Rule that the limitations period begins when injury is discovered.
Duty of CareDeber de cuidado
Definition: Legal obligation to act as a reasonably prudent person would.
E
Eggshell Skull RuleRegla del cráneo de huevo
Definition: Defendant is liable for full harm even if plaintiff was unusually fragile.
Emergency DoctrineDoctrina de emergencia
Definition: Rule allowing consideration that defendant acted in a sudden emergency.
Emotional DistressAngustia emocional (intencional o negligente)
Definition: Psychological or emotional harm caused by another’s conduct.
Expert WitnessPerito / testigo experto
Definition: Qualified professional who gives opinion testimony.
F
Failure to WarnFalta de advertencia
Definition: Claim that a manufacturer failed to provide adequate instructions.
Fiduciary Duty BreachIncumplimiento del deber fiduciario
Definition: Violation of a heightened duty of trust and loyalty.
ForeseeabilityPrevisibilidad
Definition: Reasonable ability to predict that conduct could cause harm.
FractureFractura
Definition: Break or crack in a bone caused by trauma.
G
Gap in TreatmentInterrupción en el tratamiento médico
Definition: Period of time with no medical treatment after an accident.
Gross NegligenceNegligencia grave
Definition: Extreme carelessness showing reckless disregard for safety.
Guardian LiabilityResponsabilidad del tutor / guardián
Definition: Legal responsibility of a parent for harm caused by a minor.
H
Hazardous ConditionCondición peligrosa
Definition: Unsafe condition on property creating risk of harm.
Herniated DiscDisco herniado
Definition: Condition where a spinal disc protrudes, pressing on nerves.
Hit-and-Run AccidentAccidente de fuga / atropello y fuga
Definition: Collision where a driver leaves without providing aid.
I
Impact RuleRegla del impacto
Definition: Doctrine requiring physical impact for emotional distress recovery.
Independent Medical Examination (IME)Examen médico independiente (IME)
Definition: Evaluation by a doctor chosen by the defense or insurer.
Informed ConsentConsentimiento informado
Definition: Patient’s agreement after being told risks and benefits.
Insurance Bad FaithMala fe del seguro
Definition: Insurer’s unreasonable denial or delay of valid claims.
IIEDInfligir angustia emocional de manera intencional
Definition: Outrageous conduct intentionally causing severe emotional harm.
J
Joint and Several LiabilityResponsabilidad conjunta y solidaria
Definition: Rule allowing collection of full damages from any liable party.
Judgment Proof DefendantDemandado insolvente
Definition: Defendant with insufficient assets to pay a judgment.
K
Knee InjuryLesión de rodilla
Definition: Injury to knee structures (ACL, MCL, meniscus).
Known HazardPeligro conocido
Definition: Dangerous condition owner knew or should have known about.
L
Latent InjuryLesión latente
Definition: Injury that is not immediately apparent or diagnosed.
Liability InsuranceSeguro de responsabilidad civil
Definition: Coverage that pays for injury caused by the insured.
Lift AccidentAccidente relacionado con levantar peso
Definition: Injury caused by moving heavy objects (workplace).
Loss of ConsortiumPérdida de consorcio
Definition: Claim for loss of companionship or intimacy due to injury.
M
MalpracticeMala práctica / negligencia profesional
Definition: Professional negligence by licensed professionals.
Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI)Mejoría médica máxima (MMI)
Definition: Point at which a condition is stable and healing complete.
MIST ClaimReclamación por lesión de tejidos blandos con impacto menor
Definition: Claim involving low vehicle damage but reported injury.
Mitigating CircumstancesCircunstancias atenuantes
Definition: Facts that may reduce perceived fault or damages.
N
Negligent HiringContratación o retención negligente
Definition: Employer liability for hiring an employee who poses risk.
Nerve DamageDaño nervioso
Definition: Injury to nerves causing numbness or weakness.
No-Fault InsuranceSeguro sin culpa
Definition: Auto insurance system where benefits are paid regardless of fault.
NuisancePerjuicio / molestia
Definition: Interference with use and enjoyment of property.
O
Objective FindingsHallazgos objetivos
Definition: Measurable medical evidence (MRI, X-ray, lab tests).
Occupational ExposureExposición ocupacional
Definition: Harm from contact with hazards at work over time.
Orthopedic InjuryLesión ortopédica
Definition: Injury involving bones, joints, or ligaments.
Out-of-Pocket ExpensesGastos de bolsillo
Definition: Direct costs paid personally by the injured person.
P
Pain and Suffering MultiplierMultiplicador para dolor y sufrimiento
Definition: Method of estimating damages by multiplying medical costs.
Pain Management TreatmentTratamiento para el manejo del dolor
Definition: Medical care aimed at reducing chronic symptoms.
Permanent DisabilityDiscapacidad permanente
Definition: Lifelong impairment of physical or mental function.
Plaintiff’s BarAbogados de demandantes
Definition: Attorneys who represent injured parties.
Pre-Existing InjuryLesión preexistente
Definition: Injury or condition that existed before the accident.
Product LiabilityResponsabilidad por productos
Definition: Liability for injuries caused by dangerous/defective goods.
Q
Quadriplegia / TetraplegiaCuadriplejia / tetraplejia
Definition: Paralysis of all four limbs due to spinal cord injury.
Qualified Medical OpinionOpinión médica calificada
Definition: Expert medical conclusion on diagnosis and causation.
R
Rehabilitation TherapyTerapia de rehabilitación
Definition: Physical or occupational therapy to restore function.
Residual PainDolor residual
Definition: Ongoing pain that remains after maximum healing.
Risk of Future HarmRiesgo de daño futuro
Definition: Likelihood of future medical problems caused by injury.
Road RashAbrasión por fricción en carretera
Definition: Skin abrasions from sliding across rough surfaces.
S
Shoulder ImpingementPinzamiento del hombro
Definition: Condition where shoulder structures are compressed.
Soft Tissue InjuryLesión de tejido blando
Definition: Injury to muscles, ligaments, or tendons (sprains).
Statute of Limitations (PI)Estatuto de limitaciones (PI)
Definition: Legal time limit to file an injury lawsuit.
Strict LiabilityResponsabilidad estricta
Definition: Liability without proof of negligence for specific activities.
T
Torn LigamentLigamento desgarrado
Definition: Partial or complete tear (ACL, meniscus, rotator cuff).
Total Disability RatingCalificación de discapacidad total
Definition: Classification that a person cannot work in any occupation.
Toxic Exposure ClaimReclamación por exposición tóxica
Definition: Claim for injuries caused by chemicals or toxins.
TBILesión cerebral traumática (TBI)
Definition: Brain injury caused by external force (blow, jolt).
U
Ultrasound FindingsHallazgos de ultrasonido
Definition: Imaging results showing soft-tissue injuries.
UIM ClaimReclamación contra conductor con seguro insuficiente
Definition: Claim for compensation when at-fault insurance is inadequate.
UM ClaimReclamación contra conductor sin seguro
Definition: Claim under own policy when at-fault driver has no insurance.
V
Vertebral Compression FractureFractura por compresión vertebral
Definition: Collapse of a vertebral body in the spine.
Vocational ExpertPerito vocacional
Definition: Expert assessing ability to work and earn income.
W
Whiplash InjuryLatigazo cervical
Definition: Neck injury from rapid back-and-forth movement.
Workers’ Compensation ImmunityInmunidad de compensación laboral
Definition: Protection preventing employees from suing employers when WC applies.
Wrongful Death ClaimReclamación por muerte injusta
Definition: Civil action arising from a death caused by negligence.
X
X-Ray EvidencePrueba radiográfica
Definition: Imaging evidence showing fractures or bone conditions.
Y
Yielding Right of Way AccidentAccidente por no ceder el paso
Definition: Collision caused by failure to yield as required by law.
Z
Zero-Residual Injury FindingDeterminación de lesión sin secuelas
Definition: Medical opinion that patient has fully recovered.
Zone of Danger RuleRegla de la zona de peligro
Definition: Doctrine allowing recovery for emotional distress within physical risk area.
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