Tort Law

Definition

• The set of laws governing civil lawsuits. Through the use of tort law, a wronged party (the plaintiff) can attempt to rectify harm by suing a liable party (the defendant or "tortfeasor") for damages.

Synonyms
civil wrongs, against the law, civil infractions, offences, civil wrong-doings

Related Terms and Acronyms

• Collateral Source Rule — Definition,
  • In tort law, the collateral source rule states that the tortfeasor (defendant) cannot deduct payments made by other parties to the plaintiff (such as insurance settlements) from what they are required to pay.
• Contributory Negligence — Definition,
  • A legal defence that can be applied if the plaintiff is at least partially responsible for a harm, and if they are found partially liable, they can be denied any compensation.
• Defendant — Definition,
  • The accused party in a lawsuit or criminal trial.
• Errors and Omissions Insurance — Definition,
  • Insurance that protects architects, home inspectors and contractors from claims by clients for professional mistakes.
• Injunction — Definition,
  • A court order that prohibits a party from taking a specific course of action.
• Insurance Attorney — Definition,
  • An attorney who works with insurance law.
• Lawsuit — Definition,
  • A suit brought before a court in order to remedy an alleged injustice.
• Plaintiff — Definition,
  • The party who initiates a lawsuit.
• Professional Liability Insurance (PLI) — Acronym, Very Important,
  • Insurance that covers professionals for liabilities occurring due to negligence or harm in a product or service they provide.
• Settlement — Definition,
  • An agreement between the parties of a legal case.
• Settlement Statement — Definition,
  • A document that details who has paid how much to whom.
• Specific Performance — Definition,
  • A remedy in a court of equity compelling a defendant to carry out the terms of an agreement or contract. It is available only where the remedy of damages cannot afford adequate relief to the plaintiff.
• Statute — Definition,
  • A law established by an act of the legislature.
• Statute of Frauds (SOF) — Acronym,
  • A law which provides that certain contracts must be in writing to be enforceable at law. This includes real estate contracts.
• Statute of Limitations (SOL) — Acronym,
  • A period of time specified by statute within which an action at law must be brought or else be forfeited.
• Statutory Liability — Definition,
  • Liability that is assigned by law and is not open for interpretation.
• Subrogation — Definition,
  • When an insurance company has the right to take legal action against a third party for damages.
• Tort — Definition,
  • An act that causes harm or loss.
• Tortfeasor — Definition,
  • A party who commits a tort (a civil wrong).
• Unisex Legislation — Definition,
  • Laws that prevent insurers from using gender as a factor when calculating premiums.
• Waiver of Subrogation (WOS) — Acronym,
  • A provision that prevents an insurer from pursuing a third party for damages to insured property.