What is a tort in legal terms?

A tort in legal terms refers to a wrongful act that leads to legal liability. This means that if a person commits a tort, they can be held legally responsible for the harm or damages caused to another person or entity. Torts can take many forms, such as negligence, intentional harm, or strict liability, and they play a critical role in personal injury law. The party injured by the tortious act may seek compensation through the civil court system, which is designed to address these non-criminal wrongs.

The other options do not align with the definition of a tort. A contract violation specifically relates to breaches of agreements rather than wrongful acts that cause harm without a contract's context. A claim for insurance fraud involves deceitful practices regarding insurance policies, which is a fraud issue and not the same as tort law. An administrative infraction pertains to violations of regulations or rules set by governmental bodies, differing significantly from the broader category of torts related to personal injury or wrongful conduct.