In law, a tort refers to a civil wrong — an act or omission that causes harm or injury to another person, for which the injured party can seek compensation through a civil lawsuit.
Unlike criminal law, which deals with offenses against the state, tort law deals with disputes between private individuals or entities. The purpose of tort law is to provide relief to the injured party and deter others from committing similar harms.
Common examples of torts include:
• Negligence (e.g., car accidents caused by careless driving)
• Intentional torts (e.g., assault, battery, defamation)
• Strict liability torts (e.g., liability for harm caused by defective products)
In summary, a tort is a wrongful act (other than a breach of contract) recognized by law as grounds for a lawsuit to recover damages.