Tort
Tort, in law, an offense against a person that causes injury to him, his property, or his rights. A tort (French for “wrong”) is a civil offense—a wrong against an individual—as distinguished from a crime, which is an offense against the general public. The individual wronged in a tort may sue to collect damages for his injury; there is no legal penalty for a tort other than the payment of damages.
Causing bodily injury or property damage, defaming character, and obtaining money or property by fraud are some common torts. A tort may be intentional or unintentional. A frequent unintentional tort is causing injury by the careless driving of an automobile. Some offenses may be both crimes and torts. For example, a physical attack by one person on another is both a criminal offense and grounds for a civil suit by the victim against the attacker.