What is a 'tort' in legal terminology?

A 'tort' in legal terminology refers to an intentional or negligent act that results in harm or injury to another person, leading to civil legal liability. The essence of tort law is to provide a remedy for individuals who suffer harm due to someone else's wrongful actions. This can include various forms of wrongdoing, such as negligence (like a car accident caused by a distracted driver), intentional acts (like assault), and even strict liability situations (where harm occurs without direct fault).

The concept of torts also serves the important function of upholding social responsibilities, encouraging people to act in a reasonable manner and to avoid causing harm to others. By recognizing an individual’s right to seek compensation for their injuries or damages, tort law aims to restore the injured party to their original position prior to the harm.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately define a tort. A violation of a statute pertains to criminal or regulatory offenses rather than civil wrongs. A criminal act falls under criminal law instead of tort law, which deals with civil liabilities. Lastly, a contract dispute specifically relates to breaches of contracts and is not categorized under torts, even though it may involve similar legal principles.