Which best describes a tort?

The best description of a tort is an act causing harm to an innocent party with a civil remedy. In legal terms, a tort is a wrongful act or an infringement of a right (other than a breach of contract) leading to civil legal liability. The crucial aspect of a tort is that it causes harm or loss to another person, who then has the right to seek compensation through a civil lawsuit.

A tort differs from criminal acts, which are prosecuted by the state, as civil remedies in tort law aim to make the injured party whole through compensation, rather than to punish the perpetrator. This distinction highlights the intent behind torts, which is not necessarily aimed at causing harm, but rather results in harm that allows the injured party to seek reparation.

In the context of torts, it is important to differentiate them from other types of legal issues. Statutory violations typically relate to breaches of laws enacted by legislative bodies, while breaches of contract involve disputes over the terms of agreements between parties, which are separate from the tort framework. Additionally, torts encompass a broader range of wrongful acts than merely minor injuries, as they can include significant harm and loss.