Introduction to Civil Law and Tort Law

These flashcards cover key terminology and concepts from the lecture on civil law and tort law.

Civil law

Deals mostly with courts and civil wrongs, disputes between individuals or businesses.

Plaintiff

The injured person in a civil case who sues the defendant.

Defendant

The person or entity being accused in a civil lawsuit.

Negligence

The wrongdoing that can be either accidental or intentional.

Liability

Determines who is responsible for the harm caused.

Tort law

Offers remedies for individuals harmed by the wrongful acts of others.

Defamation

Causing harm to someone's reputation through spoken or written statements.

Compensatory damages

Money awarded to cover the actual harm suffered.

Punitive damages

Money awarded as punishment for wrongdoing, often to deter similar actions.

Intentional wrong

When a person purposefully harms another person or property.

Act of negligence

An unintentional tort where harm is inflicted without intent.

Strict liability

Liability that does not depend on actual negligence or intent.

Burden of proof

The obligation to prove one's assertion in a legal setting.

Vicarious liability

When an employer or parent is held responsible for the torts of their employees or children.

Elements of a tort

Duty, breach, causation, and damages are needed for a tort to be established.