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.
