Terms Used In Louisiana Revised Statutes 48:451.22

  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
  • 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.

If the trial court is of the opinion that the verdict is so excessive or inadequate that a new trial should be granted for that reason only, it may indicate to the party or his attorney the time within which he may enter a remittitur or additur.  This remittitur or additur is to be entered only with the consent of the plaintiff or the defendant, as the case may be, as an alternative to a new trial, and is to be entered only if the amount of the excess or inadequacy of the verdict or judgment can be separately and fairly ascertained.  If a remittitur or additur is entered, then the court shall reform the jury verdict or judgment in accordance therewith.  

Acts 1974, Ex.Sess., No. 30, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1975.