A. A non-criminal (civil) wrong, other than a breach of contract, for which a remedy may be obtained in the form of damages.
Listen
to pronunciation.Legal Definition -
A non-criminal wrong, other than a breach of contract, for which a remedy may be obtained in the form of damages: a breach of a duty that the law imposes on persons who stand in a particular relation to one another.
Black's Law Dictionary® Eighth Edition © 2004
Recent Usage -
" The annual battle between trial lawyers on one side and physicians, hospitals and insurance companies on the other is now under way. Lawyers say it's about medical malpractice. Health-care professionals say it's tort reform. (A tort is a wrong inflicted on someone). Doctors claim greedy trial lawyers and their clients are flooding the courts with frivolous litigation, sending insurance premiums skyrocketing and forcing physicians out of practice or out of state. They use terms such as "crisis," "jackpot" and "lottery" for malpractice awards. Lawyers respond that lawsuits are the only way for grievously injured ordinary citizens to be compensated for careless or incompetent medical care that can ruin a life."
by LARRY DAUGHTREY, The Tennesseean, Sunday, 03/11/07 Read More...