What is a 'tort'?

What is a 'tort'?

Michael Ehline (Attorney at Law) gives expert video advice on: What is a 'tort'?; What kinds of situations does tort law deal with?; Is a tort a crime? and more...

A tort is a civil wrong other than a breach of contract for which the law provides a remedy. Tort law basically prevents people from taking the law into their own hands by providing a social remedy; it's akin to a social contract because it implies a duty of everybody out there to behave in a reasonable manner. If they breach that duty, the law provides a way for you (or the person harmed) to go into court and seek money damages.