Tort

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For the cake, see torte.

Part of the common law series

Tort law
Intentional torts

Assault
Battery

False imprisonment
Intentional infliction of emotional distress

Transferred intent

Property torts

Trespass
land
chattels
Conversion
Detinue
Replevin
Trover
Defenses

Assumption of risk
Comparative negligence
Contributory negligence
Consent
Necessity
Statute of limitations
Self-defense
Defense of others
Defense of property
Shopkeeper's privilege
Negligence

Duty of / standard of care

Proximate cause
Res ipsa loquitur
Calculus of negligence
Rescue doctrine
Duty to rescue
Negligent infliction of emotional distress
Employment-related
Entrustment
Malpractice
legal
medical

Liability torts

Product liability
Quasi-tort
Ultrahazardous activity

Nuisance

Public nuisance
Rylands v Fletcher
Dignitary torts

Defamation
Invasion of privacy
False light
Breach of confidence
Abuse of process
Malicious prosecution
Alienation of affections
Criminal conversation
Seduction
Breach of promise

Economic torts

Fraud
Tortious interference
Conspiracy
Restraint of trade

Liability and remedies

Last clear chance

Eggshell skull
Vicarious liability
Volenti non fit injuria
Ex turpi causa non oritur actio
Neutral reportage
Damages
Injunction
Torts and conflict of laws
Joint and several liability
Comparative responsibility
Market share liability

Duty to visitors

Trespassers
Licensees
Invitees
Attractive nuisance

Other common law areas

Contracts
Criminal law
Evidence
Property

Wills, trusts, and estates

Law portal

A tort, in common law jurisdictions, is a civil wrong[1] that unfairly causes someone else to suffer loss
or harm resulting in legal liability for the person who commits the tortious act, called a tortfeasor.
Although crimes may be torts, the cause of legal action is not necessarily a crime, as the harm may
be due to negligence which does not amount to criminal negligence. The victim of the harm can
recover their loss as damages in a lawsuit. In order to prevail, the plaintiff in the lawsuit must show
that the actions or lack of action was the legally recognizable cause of the harm. The equivalent of
tort in civil law jurisdictions is delict.
Legal injuries are not limited to physical injuries and may include emotional, economic, or
reputational injuries as well as violations of privacy, property, or constitutional rights. Torts comprise
such varied topics as auto accidents, false imprisonment, defamation,product liability, copyright
infringement, and environmental pollution (toxic torts). While many torts are the result of negligence,
tort law also recognizes intentional torts, where a person has intentionally acted in a way that harms
another, and in a few cases (particularly for product liability in the United States) "strict liability" which
allows recovery without the need to demonstrate negligence.
Tort law is different from criminal law in that: (1) torts may result from negligent but not intentional or
criminal actions and (2) tort lawsuits have a lower burden of proof such as preponderance of
evidence rather than beyond a reasonable doubt. Sometimes a plaintiff may prevail in a tort case
even if the person who caused the harm was acquitted in an earlier criminal trial. For example, O.J.
Simpson was acquitted in criminal court and later found liable for the tort of wrongful death.