What is the definition of a tort?

A tort is defined as any wrongful act that results in harm or injury to another party, which can be either intentional or unintentional. This broad definition encompasses a wide range of actions, such as negligence (a failure to exercise reasonable care), intentional infliction of harm, and defamation. The key aspect of a tort is that it leads to an injury or loss, which allows the harmed party to seek compensation through legal action. This concept is foundational in tort law, as it establishes the basis for liability and the possibility of recovering damages for the injuries sustained.

In contrast, other options focus on different legal concepts. A breach of contract is specifically related to the failure to fulfill the terms of a contractual agreement, which does not encompass the wider range of actions covered by tort law. Calculating damages from injuries is a procedural step following the establishment of a tort but does not define it. Legal agreements between two parties certainly play a role in law, but they relate to contract law rather than tort law. Thus, the definition of a tort, as described, accurately captures the nature and scope of wrongful acts that give rise to legal responsibility.