A tort is a civil wrong, other than a breach of contract, for which a remedy may be obtained, usually in the form of damages. The three major types of torts are intentional torts, negligence torts, and strict liability torts.
Consult Black's Legal Dictionary for definitions of any unfamiliar legal terms in this guide.
Below are some examples of torts to provide you with a better idea of what a tort it. Additionally, you may consider visiting the Wikipedia Tort page to familiarize yourself with other torts.
- Intentional Tort - a tort committed by someone acting with general or specific intent. For example, a person may be liable if they kick someone in the leg during class, causing a grievous injury.
- Negligence Tort - a tort committed by failure to observe the standard care required by law under the circumstances. For example, a lifeguard may be found liable for negligence if they were on duty when a person drowned.
- Strict Liability Tort - a tort that does not depend on intention or poof of negligence, but is instead based on a duty to compensate the harms proximately caused by activity or behavior subject to the liability rule. For example, a dog owner would be liable for a dog bite in California due to strict liability.
- Product Liability Tort - a manufacturer's or seller's liability for any injury suffered by the buyer because of the product. For example, a manufacturer may be liable if a car brake is not working properly and causes an accident.
