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Fact Question: Issues in a trial or hearing concerning
facts and how they occurred, as opposed to questions of law.
Fact questions are for the jury to decide, unless the issues
are presented in a non-jury or bench trial, in which case the
judge would decide fact questions. Questions of law are
decided by a judge. Findings of fact are generally non-appealable,
while rulings on questions of law are subject to appeal.
Family Allowance: A small amount of money set aside
from the estate of the deceased. Its purpose is to provide for
the surviving family members during the administration of the
estate.
Family Practitioner: A physician who has a general
health care practice and no specialization.
Felony: Crimes of a graver or more serious nature
than misdemeanors.
Fiduciary: A person having a legal relationship of
trust and confidence to another and having a duty to act
primarily for the others benefit, e.g., a guardian, trustee,
or executor.
File: To place a paper in the official custody of
the clerk of court/court administrator to enter into the files
or records of a case.
Final Receipt: In a workers' compensation case, it's
the form presented by the insurance carrier for the injured
employee's signature so that benefits will stop upon return to
work.
Final Judgment: The written ruling on a lawsuit by
the judge who presided at trial. This completes the case
unless it is appealed to a higher court. Also called a final
decree or final decision.
Finding: Formal conclusion by a judge or regulatory
agency on issues of fact. Also, a conclusion by a jury
regarding a fact.
First Appearance: The initial appearance of an
arrested person before a judge to determine whether or not
there is probable cause for his or her arrest. Generally the
person comes before a judge within hours of the arrest. Also
called initial appearance.
First Party Benefits: In insurance law, first party
benefits include medical benefits, income loss benefits,
accidental death benefit, funeral benefit, and extraordinary
medical benefits. In Pennsylvania, the only required coverage
is $5,000 in medical benefits.
Fracture: A break or crack in a bone.
Fraud: False and deceptive statement of fact
intended to induce another person to rely upon and, in
reliance thereof, give up a valuable thing he or she owns or a
legal right he or she is entitled to.
Full Tort Option: In Pennsylvania, purchasers of
motor vehicle insurance can choose "full tort,"
which gives the insured the unrestricted right to seek money
damages for all injuries sustained in an accident caused by
another driver, including economic loss, pain and suffering
and other non-monetary damages. Compare with limited tort
option.
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