What is a tort in legal terms?

A tort in legal terms refers specifically to a civil wrong where an act causes harm or injury to another person, either intentionally or as a result of negligence. This encompasses a wide range of scenarios where one individual's actions lead to damages incurred by another, and the harmed party may seek compensation through a civil lawsuit.

The defining element of a tort is that it is negligent or intentional wrongdoing that disrupts personal rights or property, not necessarily impacting public safety or involving malfeasance towards society as a whole. For example, personal injury claims from accidents, defamation cases, or product liability lawsuits are all variations of torts.

Understanding tort law is vital for those in the healthcare field, as it relates to how providers must exercise reasonable care to avoid harming patients and the legal consequences that result from failing to uphold that standard.