Legal Terms: W

A form issued by employers reporting an employee's annual wages and the amount of taxes withheld from their paycheck.

The voluntary and intentional relinquishment of a known right, claim, or privilege.

A person, especially a minor or incapacitated adult, who is under the protection of a court-appointed guardian.

A court order authorizing law enforcement to take a specific action, such as arresting a person (arrest warrant) or searching a location (search warrant).

A financial instrument issued by a company that gives the holder the right, but not the obligation, to purchase the company's stock at a specific price before expiration.

A guarantee or assurance about the quality, condition, or performance of a product or property. Can be express (stated) or implied (by law).

A deed in which the grantor guarantees that they hold clear title to the property and have the right to sell it, providing the highest level of buyer protection.

Areas saturated by surface or groundwater sufficient to support vegetation adapted for life in saturated soil conditions, protected under the Clean Water Act and other environmental laws.

A person who reports illegal, unethical, or fraudulent activity within an organization, often protected from retaliation by federal and state laws.

Federal and state laws protecting employees from retaliation for reporting illegal activity, fraud, safety violations, or other wrongdoing by their employer.

A legal document expressing a person's wishes regarding the distribution of their property after death and the care of any minor children.

Intentional infringement of a patent despite knowledge of the patent and its applicability, which can result in enhanced damages up to three times actual damages.

A 1968 federal law amending the Securities Exchange Act to require disclosure of information relating to tender offers and large share acquisitions.

The amount of federal, state, or local income tax that an employer deducts from an employee's wages and remits directly to the government.

A mandatory form of protection prohibiting removal of a foreign national to a country where their life or freedom would be threatened on account of a protected ground.

A person who testifies under oath in a legal proceeding, providing firsthand knowledge of facts relevant to the case.

A doctrine under copyright law in which the employer, rather than the employee, is considered the author and owner of a work created within the scope of employment.

A legal protection preventing discovery of materials prepared by or for an attorney in anticipation of litigation, including mental impressions, conclusions, and legal theories.

A state-mandated insurance program providing benefits to employees who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses, regardless of fault.

A state-mandated insurance system providing benefits to employees who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses, regardless of fault.

A HIPAA administrative safeguard requiring covered entities to provide training to all workforce members on policies and procedures regarding the handling of protected health information.

The policies, procedures, and practices designed to protect the health and safety of employees in the workplace, regulated primarily by OSHA.

A HIPAA Security Rule physical safeguard requiring covered entities to implement policies and procedures for the proper use of and access to workstations handling electronic protected health information.

A formal written order issued by a court directing a person or entity to perform or refrain from performing a specific act.

A court order directing a law enforcement officer to enforce a judgment, typically by seizing and selling the debtor's property.

A court order commanding a government official or body to perform a legally required duty.

A patent law requirement that the specification must convey to those skilled in the art that the inventor had possession of the claimed invention at the time of filing.

A civil action brought by the survivors or estate of a person who died due to another party's negligent or intentional act.

The firing of an employee in violation of federal or state law, an employment contract, or public policy.

The discharge of an employee in violation of a contract, public policy, or anti-discrimination statute.