5 Legal Translation Errors That Can Jeopardize a Personal Injury Case
Court cases are based on precision. IF there is a single mis-translated sentence in a document, that can have serious consequences, like shifting responsibility, reducing compensation, or delaying a case. When it comes to cases of personal injury lawsuits, where damage, proof, and deadlines are so inextricably linked, translation errors are legal landmines.
Certified legal translation is not simply word-for-word correct, it’s a much more complex process that requires an understanding of legal terminology, jurisdictional nuance, and intention. Especially in multilingual party personal injury claims with outsourced reports or overseas involvement, it is essential to secure legal document translation right the first time.
These five translation errors can essentially ruin a personal injury case, so here is important advice on how to avoid them.
1. Mistranslating Medical Diagnoses or Terms
Medical records play a crucial role in determining the severity of injury, treatment history, and future implications. Mistakes in translating diagnoses can seriously jeopardise the outcome. If a translator misinterprets phrases such as “cervical sprain” or “disc protrusion”, the error can downplay the severity of injuries and affect settlement values.
For example, a mistranslation error that uses “mild discomfort” in place of “chronic pain” may give a basis for an insurance company to allege the victim’s claims are exaggerated. What’s the result? Lower settlement or denied claim.
Extra Tip: Find experienced translators in the area of medical-legal terminology.
2. Confusing Legal Terms Between Languages
Legal systems differ across the world, and many legal terms do not have a direct translation in other languages. For instance, the English phrase “liability waiver” would be misread as a simple consent form in another language if improperly handled.
This is so important in personal injury cases involving signed documents like consent forms, settlement agreements, or liability waivers. An inaccurate translation could lead to issues that no one can afford, like enforceability or misunderstanding in court.
Three categories of legal documents in which accurate translation is crucial:
- Medical authorization forms
- Release of liability waivers
- Insurance claim statements
3. Skipping Certification Requirements
In jurisdictions like the U.S., the courts and insurance companies usually require certified translations for all documents that aren’t written in English. Without a certified translation, there could be a delay or denial of the evidence, so you need to make sure that the legal translator you choose has certification included in their services.
TranslateDay, for example, provides a 24-hour turnaround on 1-3 page documents with certified legal translations to meet court deadlines and legal requirements. Speed and accuracy combined are paramount in injury litigation, where case momentum is often dependent on document readiness.
| Document Type | Avg. Translation Price (in USD) | Turnaround Time | Certification Included |
| Medical Records (2 pages) | 49–69 | 24 hours | Yes |
| Police Report (3 pages) | 59–89 | 24 hours | Yes |
| Legal Waiver Form | 45–65 | 24 hours | Yes |
4. Misidentifying Names, Locations, or Case Details
Translational errors involving proper nouns such as city names, dates, or parties to the case can have adverse effects on legal timelines or filings in court, which would later be used as a basis for an appeal. An incorrectly spelled street name or a wrongly calculated date may confuse a case investigator.
This is often the case in localized incidents when there are regional spellings or less commonly used addresses.
One example of where this often comes up is Schaumburg, Illinois. Schaumburg is a suburban town with a quarter (26.4% as of the 2020 census) of its population being of Asian descent, many of whom have weak English proficiency, due to being first-generation immigrants. Furthermore, 12.71% are of German origin, hence the town’s name.
To add to that, Schaumburg has been recognized as a Bicycle Friendly Community since 1999, with its 90 miles of bike paths/lanes/routes. So, as you can imagine, it’s not uncommon to see numerous bike-related accidents there.
Then, try to think of what a Schaumburg bicycle accident lawyer might have to deal with, having to rely on accurate translations to build a solid case with geographic data, uncommon (at least for the U.S.) street names, scene descriptions, and eyewitness accounts, who may or may not have limited English.
5. Lack of Understanding in Context
Literal translations can distort meaning when context is ignored. The phrase “unable to work”, for instance, can be translated as “unemployed”, which can result in a misestimated calculation of economic damages.
Professional legal translators are directed to understand the substance of words and modify language as required, with ongoing legal precision. That is particularly true when handling client testimonials, depositions, or transcripts of court testimony.
Why Translation Quality Matters in Personal Injury Cases
Legal translators act as unseen advocates, and their role is sometimes crucial for the case. They ensure that non-English-speaking plaintiffs are represented fairly, that the documentation is admissible, and that language isn’t a barrier to justice. Overcoming language barriers can be the key to achieving justice in this type of case.
If you’re managing or supporting a personal injury case, using a certified legal translation service is non-negotiable. Tools like machine translation or unverified freelance work often introduce more problems than they solve, so don’t even get into thinking of using them just because they’re a ‘cheaper’ solution. Because, essentially, they really aren’t the solution at all.
Conclusion
Legal translation mistakes in court papers can quietly destroy even the strongest personal injury cases. Whether it is a small mistranslation of a diagnosis or missing certification, these mistakes have real legal consequences, like delayed recoveries, lower payouts, or case dismissal. Certified legal translation services bridge the gap between law and language so that every document is ready to pass legal requirements.
With critical cases like personal injury claims, accurate, effective, and contextual translation isn’t a luxury; it’s required.
