Definition of "Tort law"

Denise Dutson real estate agent

Written by

Denise Dutsonelite badge icon

Kinlin Grover Real Estate

Legislation governing wrongful acts, other than breaches of contract by one person against another or his or her property, for which civil action can be brought. Tort law and contract law define civil liability exposures. The four areas of torts are negligence, intentional interference, absolute liability, and strict liability. For example, the owner of a decrepit boat dock that collapses while people are standing on it might be liable under negligence. Assault and battery are an example of intentional interference. The owner of a poisonous snake that bit someone could be liable for injury under absolute liability, even if he or she did not intend to harm anyone. The maker of a defective product that harms the buyer might be held liable under strict liability.

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Insurance Terms

Amount paid to an insurer. Determination of the actual cost (not the price paid) of a life insurance policy has been widely discussed for many years in life insurance and consumer circles. ...

Bodily injury liability and property damage liability expressed as a single sum of coverage. ...

Provision of a property policy that excludes construction that is likely to suffer a loss. For example, the roofing material used may not be able to withstand a wind force of more than 15 ...

Same as term Captive Agent: representative of a single insurer or fleet of insurers who is obliged to submit business only to that company, or at the very minimum, give that company first ...

Latin for "Let the superior reply." That is, an employer is liable for the torts of employees that result from their employment. For example, an insurance company (the master) acts through ...

Classification of ships according to their construction material, age, physical condition, propulsion type, stress tests of structure, and owners. Marine insurance rates for a particular ...

Endorsement to many commercial property insurance policies that covers office equipment. Coverage includes all equipment, whether or not owned by an insured, improvements an insured has ...

Law that provided for federal crime insurance. Because private insurance is not available for business owners and residents of certain high-crime areas, the act provides that the federal ...

Inland marine policy to cover liability for goods that belong to clients while in a mover's possession. ...

Popular Insurance Questions