tort

A tort is a civil wrong that causes a claimant to suffer loss or harm, resulting in legal liability for the person who commits the tortious act. Unlike criminal law, which deals with offenses against the state or society as a whole, tort law focuses on private wrongs—injuries or damages suffered by an individual at the hands of another.

There are three main categories of torts: intentional torts (such as assault, battery, or defamation), negligence (the most common type, involving a failure to use reasonable care, like in car accidents or medical malpractice), and strict liability (where a person is held responsible for harm regardless of fault or intent, often involving ultra-hazardous activities or owning dangerous animals).

The primary goal of tort law is not to punish the wrongdoer, but to compensate the injured party and return them, as much as possible, to the position they were in before the harm occurred. This compensation can cover medical bills, lost wages, and property damage, as well as non-economic "pain and suffering." In cases of particularly egregious behavior, a court may award punitive damages specifically to deter such conduct in the future.

You will often hear the term "tort reform," which refers to legislative attempts to limit the number of lawsuits or cap the amount of money a plaintiff can recover. As the foundation for almost all personal injury claims, the concept of a tort is central to both real-life legal systems and the high-stakes world of courtroom dramas.