12C Sue!

Language corner

• To Sue means 'to claim that someone has done something that caused you a problem'. Usually the person suing hopes to win some compensation or damages (ie money you get because somethign is destroyed, lost, missed,e tc.) as a result. 
• The plaintiff is the person who starts a court case (eg by accusing or complaining about someone else). The person they say has done something wrong is the defendant.
• An attorney is a synonym of lawyer or counsellor (counsellor-at-law).
• The district attorney or public prosecutor is the lawyer that defends the state's interests.
• An out-of-court settlement is an agreement to conlcude a case that is reached before the issue reaches court. An out-of-court settlement may include an arrangaement for the defendant to pay money or offer other compensation to the plaintiff. As court proceedings can be very expensive it is often better to achieve a result this way.
• Even if an accident leaves no physical injury, it may affect you mentally, causing you to feel shocked, upset, frightened, etc. and this effect may last a long time. In legal cases, this is called emotional distress.
• If you had a bad accident, it may leave you unable to work in the way you did before. you might sue for loss of earnings (ie compensation for the money that you would/could have earned).
• If a court goes against you, it may be possible to appeal the verdict (ie the result). This means that you challenge the conclusion. If you are successful in your appeal, the original verdict may be overturned.
• A Winnebago (trade name) is a kind of motor home, ie a large vehicle that has a room where you can sleep while you are travelling. Winnebagos typically include a seating area (that converts into a bed), a bathroom and toilet and a kitchen area.
• Cruise control is an automatic system (found on more expensive cars and vehicles) that helps a driver keep a fast speed over a long distance. When the dirver selects the speed he wants to drive at, the cruise control then maintains that speed without the need to keep pressing the accelerator. It is most useful for long drives along uncrowded motorways, however, it is also dangerous in that the driver needs to think and do less and may be more likely to lose attention or doze off.