What Is an Affidavit?
An affidavit is a written statement of facts that a person declares to be true under oath or affirmation. The person who makes it, called the affiant, signs the document. An affidavit may support a legal claim, record personal knowledge, or confirm details when a court, insurer, or agency reviews a dispute.
Quick Facts About Affidavit
Category
Legal statement
Used for
Supporting facts in a claim
Common confusion
An affidavit is not an informal written account
Also called
Sworn statement
Often discussed with
Workers' Compensation Lawyer
Key Takeaways About Affidavit
- An affiant swears that the statement is truthful.
- Specific personal knowledge gives an affidavit practical value.
- An affidavit is not the same as an ordinary unsworn statement.
How Affidavit Works
An affidavit begins with a written account of facts that the affiant knows personally. The affiant signs the document under oath or affirmation before an authorized witness, often a notary public. The signature confirms that the affiant accepts responsibility for the truth of the statement.
Related glossary terms: Medical Records, Witness Statement, Notice of Claim.
In a workers’ compensation matter, an affidavit can organize facts about an injury, work duties, notice, or events surrounding a disputed claim. A medical record may support the account, while an employer statement may address workplace events. The receiving party reviews the affidavit with other evidence, and opposing parties may question its accuracy or relevance.
From the Atlanta Auto Law team
When we review an affidavit, we check whether each statement comes from the affiant’s personal knowledge and matches the available claim records. We also examine the signature, oath, date, and surrounding facts. Clear wording helps separate firsthand facts from assumptions or information repeated from someone else.
Affidavit in Practice: A Real-World Example
A warehouse employee suffers a back injury while lifting materials and prepares an affidavit describing the task, the accident, and the notice given to a supervisor. The statement may support the employee’s workers’ compensation claim when those facts are disputed.
Related Services
Related Terms
Medical Records
Medical Records are written or electronic files that document a patient's care, condition, testing, treatment, and…
Witness Statement
A Witness Statement is a written or recorded account from someone who saw, heard, or experienced…
Notice of Claim
Notice of Claim is a written statement sent to a governmental entity after an injury claim…
Lost Wages
Lost wages are income you could not earn because an injury prevented you from working or…
Atlanta Auto Law
Have Questions About Affidavit?
Contact Atlanta Auto Law for practical guidance on Affidavit and related personal injury attorney work in Druid Hills.