Public Health Law Map - Beta 5 - Medical and Public Health Law Site

Perjury The willful act of giving false
testimony under oath.
Nonphysician
practitioners
Nonphysician personnel who are
limited to practicing under the
direction and supervision of the
attending physician. Physicians are
personally liable for the actions of
such personnel.
Plaintiff The party to a civil suit who brings
the suit seeking damages or other
legal relief.
Pleadings A formal statement made to the court
setting out a party’s claims. The
plaintiff initiates a lawsuit by a
pleading called a “complaint.” The
defendant responds to the plaintiff’s
complaint by filing an “answer.”
Police Power The power of the state to protect the
health, safety, morals, and general
welfare of the people. The police
power is the power to restrict the
liberty of individuals to protect other
individuals. Communicable disease
laws are enacted under the police
power.
Prima Facie When all the necessary elements of a
valid cause of action are alleged to
exist. Once the plaintiff has
established a prima facie case, the
defendant will lose unless he or she
can rebut one or more elements of
the case.
Privilege A special legal status that prevents
the privileged actor from being held
legally liable for actions that would
otherwise trigger liability. The state
and federal governments are
privileged to do actions, such as
exposing a population to atomic
radiation, that would be torts if done
by a private individual. The
physician–patient relationship is
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