tort

/tɔrt/

/tɔt/

Other forms: torts

If you sue a surgeon for operating on your left foot instead of the right one, you are filing a tort suit. Hopefully, you'll walk out of court victorious (on both feet).

Tort comes from the Latin word tortum, meaning "wrong." When someone has done some wrong to you, you can seek justice (in the form of payment) by taking them to court. Tortum itself comes from tortus (also Latin) meaning "twisted." So remember if someone does something twisted, like spread terrible lies about you, you could pursue a tort claim.

Definitions of tort

1. noun

   (law) any wrongdoing for which an action for damages may be brought
   synonyms: civil wrong

   types:

   alienation of affection

   a tort based on willful and malicious interference with the marriage relation by a third party without justification or excuse

   invasion of privacy

   the wrongful intrusion by individuals or the government into private affairs with which the public has no concern

   trespass

   a wrongful interference with the possession of property (personal property as well as realty), or the action instituted to recover damages

   continuing trespass

   trespass that is not transient or intermittent but continues as long as the offending object remains

   trespass de bonis asportatis

   an action brought to recover damages from a person who has taken goods or property from its rightful owner

   trespass on the case

   an action brought to recover damages from a person whose actions have resulted indirectly in injury or loss

   trespass quare clausum fregit

   the defendant unlawfully enters the land of the plaintiff

   trespass viet armis

   trespass with force and arms resulting in injury to another's person or property

   type of:

   actus reus, misconduct, wrongdoing, wrongful conduct

   activity that transgresses moral or civil law