Tort is a harmful act for which the injured person has the right to collect money for damages. A tort is a violation of civil law, which deals with the rights and obligations people have in their relations with one another. The branch of civil law that deals with torts is called tort law. Tort law is concerned mainly with injuries to a person’s body, property, business, reputation, or privacy. For example, if someone injures you, you may have a right to sue for damages. If a person fails to keep a promise or follow the terms of a contract, another branch of law, called contract law, usually determines the right to damages.
Most torts are either intentional or negligent. An example of an intentional tort is an assault. A negligent tort involves an act of carelessness. For instance, a motorist who accidentally injures a person may be charged with negligence.
In many cases, an employer can be held responsible for a tort that is committed by an employee while he or she is working, even though the employer may be free from fault. In such cases, the employee is also personally liable.
A tort may also be a violation of criminal law. For example, if someone strikes you, you may be able to recover damages for the torts of assault and battery. But the government may also punish the person for breaking a criminal law that forbids such an act.
