Legal Terms

  • Wrongful death statutes

    Wrongful death statutes

    Washington statutes that set out who may bring an action and what damages are recoverable for events that lead to the death of a person due to the negligence of another person.

  • Writ

    Writ

    An order by a court requiring the performance of a specified act, or giving authority to have that act done.

  • Workers’ compensation

    Workers’ compensation

    A state program that requires employers to pay a premium to cover the cost of medical treatment and some lost pay for employees who are injured on the job, regardless of who is at fault. …

  • Work product

    Work product

    The written materials of an attorney concerning thoughts and strategies for a client matter based on client and witness statements that is protected from discovery by the adverse party.

  • Witness

    Witness

    Someone with knowledge pertaining to the facts of the case who testifies to what he or she has seen, heard, or otherwise observed.  Each party must identify its witnesses prior to trial or arbitration.

  • Willful

    Willful

    Acts that are intentional and directed at achieving a specific result.

  • Weight of the evidence

    Weight of the evidence

    The credibility of evidence when compared to other evidence.

  • Washington Administrative Code (WAC)

    Washington Administrative Code (WAC)

    A collection of administrative regulations created by state agencies to carry out the laws passed by the state legislature. When regulations are proposed, they must be published and an opportunity given for public comment before…

  • Warranty

    Warranty

    A promise that the merchandise sold will conform to specific representations; or a fact stated in an insurance contract is true.  A warranty can be express when put in writing or implied from the facts…

  • Waiver

    Waiver

    A knowing, intelligent, and voluntary surrender of a known right or claim.