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

Stare Decisis “Let the decision stand.” The legal
doctrine stating that courts should
follow previous decisions and apply
them to subsequent cases involving
similar facts and questions.
Statute of Frauds The requirement that contracts
governing certain transactions be in
writing. This is intended to prevent
fraudulent lawsuits based on
allegations that the parties had
entered into an oral contract.
Statute of Limitation A statutory deadline for filing
lawsuits. Unless the statute is tolled,
the plaintiff cannot bring an action
after the statute of limitation has run.
The statute of limitation is typically
two to four years for medical
malpractice actions. See Discovery
Rule.
STD Sexually Transmitted Disease.
Stipulate Where the parties to a lawsuit agree
to a particular statement of facts and
dispense with the need to produce
evidence to formally prove those
facts.
Strict Liability Liability without fault. Traditionally,
strict liability has been limited to
ultrahazardous activities such as
blasting. Products liability is a
modified form of strict liability, as is
vicarious liability.
Subpoena A command to an individual by a
court that the individual must obey or
face discipline from the court. A
subpoena ad testificandum is a
command to appear at a certain time
and place to testify on a matter. A
subpoena duces tecum is a command
to produce specific documents
needed in a trial or court proceeding.
Suit Civil court proceeding where one
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