Glossary of Terms

An administrative law judge is the judge who hears many Social Security disability appeals after earlier levels of review have been completed.

In Ohio OVI matters, an administrative license suspension is a separate driver’s license suspension that can be triggered after a test refusal or certain chemical test results.

An affidavit is a written statement made under oath and signed by the person making it.

An appeal is a request for a higher court or reviewing body to reconsider a decision.

An arraignment is an early criminal court hearing where the accused is informed of the charges and enters a plea.

A beneficiary is a person or entity entitled to receive money, property, or another benefit under a will, trust, policy, or account.

This is the high burden of proof the prosecution must meet in a criminal case to obtain a conviction.

The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation is the state agency that administers many workers’ compensation claims and benefits in Ohio.

A civil protection order is a court order that can restrict contact or conduct in certain situations involving threats, violence, or harassment.

A claim is a formal request for compensation, benefits, or another legal remedy.

Comparative negligence is a rule that can reduce an injured person’s recovery if they were partly at fault for the event that caused the injury.

A contingency fee is a fee arrangement in which an attorney’s fee is usually paid from a recovery rather than billed upfront.

Damages are monetary compensation sought or awarded in a civil case for losses caused by another party’s conduct.

In an SSDI claim, the date last insured is the last date a worker remains insured for disability benefits based on work history.

A deposition is sworn out-of-court testimony taken during the discovery process.

The disability onset date is the date a person became unable to work because of a disabling condition.

An estate is the property, rights, and obligations a person leaves behind at death.

Evidence is the information used to prove or dispute facts in a legal matter.

An executor is the person named in a will to carry out the estate administration process.

A felony is a more serious criminal offense that can carry significant penalties, including prison time.

In Ohio criminal record matters, final discharge generally means all parts of the sentence have been completed, which can affect eligibility for certain record relief.

Guardianship is a court-supervised arrangement in which one person is appointed to make decisions for a minor or an incapacitated adult.

A hearing is a court or agency proceeding where evidence and legal arguments are presented for a decision.

An impairment rating is a medical assessment of the permanent effects of an injury or condition.

Intestate means dying without a valid will.

Judicial release is a form of early release that may be available in some Ohio criminal cases after a prison sentence has started.

A lien is a legal claim against property or funds to secure payment of a debt or obligation.

Maximum medical improvement means an injury or condition has stabilized and is not expected to improve substantially with additional treatment.

A misdemeanor is generally a less serious criminal offense than a felony, but it can still result in jail time, fines, and a criminal record.

A motion is a formal written or oral request asking a court to take a specific action.

Negligence is the failure to use reasonable care under the circumstances, resulting in harm to another person.

Non-economic damages are compensation for losses that do not have a direct dollar amount, such as pain, suffering, or loss of enjoyment of life.

An occupational disease is an illness or medical condition caused by workplace exposure or job-related conditions over time.

OVI is Ohio’s legal term for drunk or drug-impaired driving offenses.

Pain and suffering refers to the physical pain and emotional distress caused by an injury.

A personal injury claim is a legal claim made by a person who was injured because of someone else’s careless, reckless, or wrongful conduct. In Ohio, a personal injury claim may seek compensation for losses such as medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages related to the injury.

Personal representative is a general term for the person responsible for handling an estate.

A power of attorney is a legal document that authorizes another person to act on someone else’s behalf in financial, legal, or medical matters, depending on the document.

Probable cause is a legal standard requiring a reasonable basis to believe a crime has been committed or that evidence may be found in a particular place.

Probate is the court-supervised process of administering a deceased person’s estate.

In a Social Security disability claim, reconsideration is usually the first level of appeal after an initial denial.

Record sealing is a legal process that can limit public access to certain criminal records in Ohio.

Residual functional capacity is an assessment of what a person can still do in a work setting despite physical or mental limitations.

A settlement is an agreement that resolves a legal dispute without a trial.

SSDI is a federal disability benefits program for workers who have enough qualifying work credits and meet Social Security’s definition of disability.

Speedy trial rights are legal protections that require criminal cases to move forward within certain time limits.

A statute of limitations is the deadline for filing a legal claim or case.

Substantial gainful activity is the level of work activity or earnings Social Security uses when evaluating disability claims.

SSI is a needs-based federal benefits program for people who are disabled, blind, or older and who meet income and resource limits.

Temporary total compensation is a wage replacement benefit that may be available when an Ohio worker is temporarily unable to return to the former position of employment because of an allowed work injury.

Testamentary capacity is the legal ability to understand and create a valid will.

A tort is a wrongful act that causes harm and gives rise to a civil claim for compensation.

A trust is a legal arrangement in which one party holds and manages assets for the benefit of another.

A vocational expert is a professional who may testify about jobs, work demands, and employability in certain disability proceedings.

Wage loss refers to income an injured person cannot earn because of an injury or medical condition.

A will is a legal document stating how a person wants property distributed after death and who should administer the estate.

A workers’ compensation claim is a request for benefits arising from a work-related injury or occupational disease.

A wrongful death claim is a civil claim arising when a person dies because of another party’s wrongful act or neglect.