Tort Law - Overview

Tort law is the area of the law that allows individuals to be compensated should they be injured at the hand of someone’s recklessness, carelessness, or intentional misconduct.

The United States adopted its system of law from the British, which is where we find our grounds for holding people personally responsible for their actions. This means that individuals are legally liable for their actions, whether intentional or not. Tort law establishes a means for people to seek and recover damages if they are injured or suffer property damage because of someone else’s actions.

Intentional Torts

Intentional torts are acts committed by an individual against another to inflict injury or harm. This includes assault, which is prosecuted in a criminal court. The sentencing for assault can include heavy fines, probation, and incarceration.

Negligent and Strict Liability Torts

This class of torts covers incidents in which the harm that was inflicted on a victim was unintentional or the incident that caused the injury was unintentional, like an automobile collision. These types of matters are dealt with in a civil court. In a civil court plaintiffs can seek to recover damages for the injuries they suffered. The law does not recognize accidents. In other words, even if what happened was an “accident,” someone is still liable for the injuries and damages that may have occurred.

If you have been injured in an accident or because of someone’s negligence, contact the Appleton personal injury lawyers of Habush, Habush, & Rottier S.C. at 800.472.9334 for a free consultation about your situation.