What Exactly is a "Tort"?
The word ‘Tort’ is derived from the Latin term Tortum, which literally means ‘twisted’ or ‘crooked.’
In legal parlance, a tort is a civil wrong—other than a breach of contract—for which the court
will provide a remedy in the form of an action for damages.
Unlike criminal law, where the state punishes you for breaking a social code (think jail time), Tort
law is about restoration. It’s about making the injured party “whole” again, usually through
monetary compensation.