Questions From Our Clients

When dealing with a legal case, you’ll hear many terms thrown around that you may not be familiar with. And we get it. It’s not something you do every day, so it may feel overwhelming to hear these words and not understand what they mean.

So, we’ve put together a glossary of common legal terms and what they mean, along with answers to a few frequent questions. Then, when you hear them, you’ll better understand what’s happening in your case.

What are discovery and interrogatories?

Discovery is the process of a lawsuit when each party’s legal team is working to find information and evidence to evaluate and support their case. It’s typically one of the first parts of a trial proceeding.

Interrogatories are lists of questions sent from one party to the other during the discovery phase of a lawsuit to help them gather information.

What is a deposition?

A deposition is sworn out-of-court testimony. It’s part of the discovery phase of a lawsuit. Both parties’ attorneys are present, and a witness is asked questions to gather information for the case. They’re often in person and may be recorded.

What is mediation?

Mediation is a process that intends to resolve a legal dispute outside of court. A third-party mediator is used to create an agreeable solution and avoid a trial.

What is a mediator?

A mediator is a third-party intermediary who works with both sides in a dispute to resolve the issue without going to court.

Why do lawsuits take so long?

Legal proceedings often take months or years to resolve.

Many things can impact the length of time it takes; courts are dealing with lots of cases, and legal teams want to take their time in finding all the information to support their case.

Where will my lawsuit be filed?

A lawsuit may be filed in either the location of the subject incident or the county in which the defendant is a resident.

Is it possible to receive benefits for pain and suffering through a workers’ compensation case in South Carolina?

South Carolina workers’ compensation laws do not offer compensation for pain and suffering. Compensation for job-related injuries is available through medical benefits, lost wages, and disability.