Intro to Paralegal Studies Practice

Tort law is the branch of law that specifically addresses civil wrongs, which are acts that cause harm or loss to individuals or their property. It encompasses a wide range of issues, including personal injury claims, defamation, negligence, and other situations where one person's actions result in damage to another person. The primary purpose of tort law is to provide relief to the injured party and to deter others from committing similar harms.

In contrast, contract law focuses on the obligations and rights that arise from agreements between parties, making it less relevant to situations involving harm to individuals or property. Property law deals with issues related to the ownership and use of real and personal property, while criminal law addresses actions that are considered offenses against society as a whole, with penalties imposed by the state. Thus, tort law is distinct in its focused consideration of civil harm and the remedies available to those who suffer as a result of someone else's conduct.