Not all civil wrongs arise from contracts. A tort is a civil wrong—other than breach of contract—that causes harm and creates legal liability, allowing the injured party to seek damages or other remedies.

Major categories include intentional torts such as battery and defamation, negligence, and strict-liability torts. Tort law compensates victims, deters harmful conduct, and spreads risk through insurance. Elements and defenses vary by tort type and jurisdiction.

Personal injury, professional malpractice, and product cases dominate modern tort dockets. Reform debates address damage caps, class actions, and liability standards. For individuals, tort law is often the main avenue for redress after accidents and intentional harms.

• Civil wrong creating liability outside contract
• Includes intentional, negligent, and strict-liability forms
• Primarily remedied through damages
• Central to personal injury and related claims