What is Tort?
'''Tort law''' is the part of law for most harms that are not either [[criminal]] or based on a [[contract]]. Tort law helps people to make claims for [[Financial compensation|compensation]] (repayment) when someone hurts them or hurts their property. For example, a car accident where one driver hurts another driver because he or she was not paying attention might be a '''tort'''. If a person is hurt by someone else, he or she can [[:wikt:sue|sue]] in [[court]]. Many torts are accidents, like car accidents or slippery floors that make people fall down and get hurt. These are called ''negligent'' torts. But some torts are done on purpose. These are called ''intentional'' torts. For example, if one person punches another person in the nose, it might be an intentional tort called ''battery''. Many torts cause physical harm to people. Some torts cause damage to property, like a broken window. Some torts can harm other things, like someone's reputation or a business. The kinds of torts this article talks about are a part of the [[common law]]. The common law is found in [[England]] and former British colonies, such as the [[United States|United States of America]]. Different laws are found in [[civil law]] countries such as [[France]] or [[Germany]]. In those countries people usually use the word '''delict''' instead of tort, but they mean very similar things. == In general == Torts are what happens when one person (or organization) injures another. The person or organization that causes the injury is known as a ''tortfeasor''. The person who is injured is often called the ''victim''. The victim may sue the tortfeasor. The people or organizations on each side of a [[lawsuit]] are called the ''parties''. In a lawsuit, the victim is called the [[plaintiff]]. The tortfeasor is called the [[defendant]]. Usually, the plaintiff in a lawsuit is asking the court to make the defendant pay money to make up for the harm that the defendant caused. For example, the money that the plaintiff asks for might pay