§ 34-51-2-1 Applicability of chapter
§ 34-51-2-2 Governmental entities and public employees excepted
§ 34-51-2-3 Causation
§ 34-51-2-4 Defendant as single party
§ 34-51-2-5 Effect of contributory fault
§ 34-51-2-6 Barring of recovery; degree of contributory fault
§ 34-51-2-7 Jury instructions; single party defendant
§ 34-51-2-8 Jury instructions; multiple defendants
§ 34-51-2-9 Trial without jury; award of damages
§ 34-51-2-10 Intentional torts; full recovery of damages from convicted defendant
§ 34-51-2-11 Forms of verdicts; disclosure requirements
§ 34-51-2-12 Contribution; indemnity
§ 34-51-2-13 Inconsistent verdicts
§ 34-51-2-14 Nonparty defense; assertion
§ 34-51-2-15 Nonparty defense; burden of proof
§ 34-51-2-16 Nonparty defense; pleadings
§ 34-51-2-17 Nonparty defense; medical malpractice claims
§ 34-51-2-18 Actions against defendants who are qualified health care providers and who are not qualified health care providers; delay; joinder
§ 34-51-2-19 Liens or claims to diminish in same proportion as claimant’s recovery is diminished

Terms Used In Indiana Code > Title 34 > Article 51 > Chapter 2 - Compensatory Damages: Comparative Fault

  • Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
  • Attorney: includes a counselor or other person authorized to appear and represent a party in an action or special proceeding. See Indiana Code 1-1-4-5
  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • Lien: A claim against real or personal property in satisfaction of a debt.
  • Litigation: A case, controversy, or lawsuit. Participants (plaintiffs and defendants) in lawsuits are called litigants.
  • Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
  • Property: includes personal and real property. See Indiana Code 1-1-4-5
  • Summons: Another word for subpoena used by the criminal justice system.
  • Tort: A civil wrong or breach of a duty to another person, as outlined by law. A very common tort is negligent operation of a motor vehicle that results in property damage and personal injury in an automobile accident.
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
  • Verdict: The decision of a petit jury or a judge.