Which term best describes a civil wrong or injury?

• A. Duty
• B. Liability
• C. Tort
• D. Fraud

Answer: (C)

In civil law, a civil wrong or injury that someone can sue over is called a tort. A tort covers harm caused by negligent, intentional, or other wrongful acts, with the usual remedy being damages or other relief in court. Think of the duty as the obligation the dentist owes to the patient, while liability is the legal responsibility that may arise from breaching that duty or from committing a tort. Fraud, meanwhile, is a specific dishonest act and not the broad term for civil wrongs. Because tort encompasses the broad category of civil harms that allow a legal claim, it is the best term to describe a civil wrong or injury.