A tort is a civil wrong that causes harm or loss to another person, resulting in legal liability for the person who commits the wrongful act. Tort law is different from criminal law, which deals with criminal wrongs that are punishable by the state. The primary aim of tort law is to compensate individuals who suffer harm as a result of the actions of others. The specific rights protected give rise to the unique “elements” of each tort. There are three main categories of tort law:

• Negligent torts: These are harms done to people through the failure of another to exercise a certain level of care, usually resulting in unintentional harm.

• Intentional torts: These are acts where an individual or entity purposely engages in conduct that causes injury or damage to another. Examples include striking someone in a fight, which would be considered an intentional act that would fall under the tort of battery.

• Strict liability torts: These are torts where the defendant is held liable for harm caused to the plaintiff, regardless of whether the defendant was at fault or not.

There are numerous specific torts, including trespass, assault, battery, negligence, products liability, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The law recognizes torts as civil wrongs and allows injured parties to recover for their losses. Injured parties may bring suit to recover damages in the form of monetary compensation or for an injunction, which compels a party to cease an activity. Courts impose liability for torts to compensate an injured party for an act or an omission that causes harm.