{"id":11089,"date":"2022-09-07T23:56:00","date_gmt":"2022-09-07T23:56:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/?post_type=blog&#038;p=11089"},"modified":"2023-07-25T12:42:37","modified_gmt":"2023-07-25T18:42:37","slug":"what-is-a-tort","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/es\/asbestos-blog\/que-es-un-agravio\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is A Tort?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Short answer:<\/strong> A <em>tort<\/em> is a violation of <em>civil law<\/em> that injures someone else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are two main types of law &#8211; criminal and civil:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Breaking a criminal law is a <em>crime<\/em>.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Breaking a civil law is (usually) a <em>tort<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>When someone commits a crime, the <strong>government<\/strong> can <strong>prosecute<\/strong> them in <strong>criminal court<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With torts, the <strong>injured person<\/strong> can <strong>sue<\/strong> to receive money, or a court order.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<style>@media (max-width: 991px){\n.has-fixed-layout tbody tr td{display:block !important}}<\/style>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-regular border-table-full\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">For example, if someone borrows a car and sells it to someone else, that could be a crime. It could also be a <em>tort<\/em> because it injures the car owner.<br><br>The car owner could sue for money (the cost of replacing the car), or a court order (ordering the person who borrowed the car to return it). With a court order, the car owner can get law enforcement or a recovery agent to repossess it.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column p-4 mx-3 is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-are-torts-and-crimes-the-same-thing\">Are torts and crimes the same thing?<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p><strong>No, they are different.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>There are two main areas of law:&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Criminal laws<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Criminal laws are also called penal laws.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>Penal<\/em> means it relates to <em>punishment<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Criminal laws set limits and allow the government to punish violations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Civil laws<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Civil laws are related to interactions between people, instead of the government.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Civil laws cover a number of areas, including:<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Contracts<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Contracts are one example of civil law. If you buy a car, you form a contract with the seller. That contract is governed by civil law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Marriage and Family Law<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Laws that deal with marriage, child custody and adoption are also civil law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Personal Injury Law<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>When someone injures another person &#8211; through carelessness, or intentional behavior, this is known as a <em>tort<\/em>. This includes damage to a person\u2019s personal property.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This area of law is known as personal injury law, and it is a type of civil law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The injured person can file a lawsuit for the tort and ask to receive money or legal protection to deal with the injury.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns background_pampas is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column p-4 mx-3 is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-s-the-difference-between-a-tort-and-a-crime\">What\u2019s the Difference Between a Tort and a Crime?<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading mt-0\">Torts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Torts are addressed by the victim (known as the plaintiff), who brings a lawsuit against the person or company that caused the harm (known as the defendant).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The defendant who committed a tort may have to pay money or take steps to repair or compensate the plaintiff\u2019s damages.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A tort must be proven in court by a \u201cpreponderance of the evidence.\u201d This means the plaintiff must show it is more likely than not that the defendant committed the tort. Some legal experts have referred to this as proving it at least 51% likely.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Crimes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Crimes are addressed by the government.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Law enforcement officials prosecute the person who committed the crime (called the \u201cdefendant.\u201d)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The defendant who committed a crime may be punished with prison, or fines paid to the government.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A crime must be proven by the prosecutor in court \u201cbeyond a reasonable doubt.\u201d This is a much <em>higher<\/em> standard than for a tort in civil law. The judge or jury must feel that it is almost certain the defendant committed the crime. Some legal experts refer to this as being 98-99% likely.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1430\" height=\"510\" src=\"https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Image-Tort-article-body-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11105\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Image-Tort-article-body-1.jpg 1430w, https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Image-Tort-article-body-1-540x193.jpg 540w, https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Image-Tort-article-body-1-768x274.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Image-Tort-article-body-1-18x6.jpg 18w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1430px) 100vw, 1430px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column p-4 mx-3 is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-is-it-a-tort-to-break-a-contract\">Is it a tort to break a contract?<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p><strong>Not usually. Contract laws and tort laws are usually separate, and have different rules for determining if the law was broken and what the appropriate consequences are.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Violating a contract is called a <\/strong><strong><em>breach<\/em><\/strong><strong> of contract.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-regular border-table-full\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">For example, imagine someone signs a contract to remove asbestos from your house, and then decides it would be too difficult and refuses to remove it.<br><br>That is probably a breach of contract, because it breaks the agreement you both made.<br><br>If you sue in court, you can probably recover the money it would cost you to find someone else to remove the asbestos.<br><br>But their refusal to honor the contract is probably not a <em>tort<\/em>.<br><br>If a person <em>deceptively tells you that they removed the asbestos<\/em>, but really did not do so, that is probably a tort. This is the law recognizing that lying or harming someone is worse than just not being able to fulfill a contract.<br><br>With a tort, in addition to the money you have to spend to remove the asbestos, you might also be able to sue for punitive damages &#8211; money designed to <em>punish<\/em> the person who lied about removing asbestos. <em>Punitive<\/em> refers to <em>punishment<\/em>.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Difference Between a Tort and Contract Breach<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Both a tort and breach of contract violate a person\u2019s rights, and both are addressed in civil court (instead of criminal court). However there are some important differences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Breach of Contract<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A breach of contract is a broken promise made from one party to another.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The duty is usually created by the contract itself &#8211; an agreement between the parties.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Compensation for a breach of contract is limited to the actual losses experienced by the plaintiff. You usually cannot recover more money than you lost because the other party broke the promise in the contract.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tort<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A tort is a violation of legal rights, or a breach of a duty.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>With a tort, the duty is usually created by law (a statute) or because of a relationship between the parties (e.g., a doctor owes patients a duty of care).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Tort recovery can include punitive damages (known in some states like Texas as <em>exemplary damages<\/em>). This money can exceed the actual injuries to the plaintiff.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Punitive damages are designed to <em>punish<\/em> the defendant. They are also called <em>exemplary damages<\/em> because they are \u201cmaking an example\u201d of the defendant.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The punishment deters the defendant and others from committing the same tort in the future.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have been injured because of someone else\u2019s behavior, you may be the victim of a tort. Contact a personal injury attorney to discuss the facts of your case.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns background_pampas is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column p-4 mx-3 is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-asbestosclaims-law\">AsbestosClaims.Law<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p>AsbestosClaims.law is your comprehensive resource for all things asbestos. We hope this information is helpful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have any additional questions or concerns related to asbestos, check out our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/\">website<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/youtube.com\/channel\/UCZ8k_hDOrgpwHTVwzZHKcmA\">YouTube page<\/a> for videos, infographics and answers to your questions about asbestos, including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/blogtag\/health-and-safety\/\">health and safety<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/asbestos-blog\/im-moving-should-i-get-a-free-asbestos-test\/\">asbestos testing<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/blogtag\/asbestos-removal\/\">removing asbestos from your home and building<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/asbestos-mesothelioma-claims\">legal information<\/a> about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/asbestos-trusts\/what-are-asbestos-trusts-and-why-do-they-exist\">compensation for asbestos injuries<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And if you believe that you were exposed to asbestos, or have been diagnosed with an asbestos illness, you could be entitled to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/asbestos-claims\">significant compensation<\/a>\u2014money you could use to cover the costs of asbestos removal services, pay for medical treatment, and preemptively protect your physical well-being.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All without filing a lawsuit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019d like help with filing a claim, please <a href=\"https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/about-us\/contact-us\/\">get in touch<\/a> by email at <a href=\"mailto:help@asbestosclaims.law\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">help@asbestosclaims.law<\/a>, or call or text us at <a href=\"tel:8334272378\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" id=\"phone_body_8334272378\">(833) 4-ASBESTOS (427-2378)<\/a> or <a href=\"tel:2064559190\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" id=\"phone_body_2064559190\">(206) 455-9190<\/a>. We\u2019ll listen to your story and explain your options. And we never charge for anything unless you receive money in your pocket.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":11104,"template":"","blogtag":[62],"class_list":["post-11089","blog","type-blog","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","blogtag-legal-learning"],"acf":[],"x_featured_media":"https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Header-Tort-pano-mobile-220x220.jpg","x_featured_media_medium":"https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Header-Tort-pano-mobile.jpg","x_featured_media_large":"https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Header-Tort-pano-mobile.jpg","x_featured_media_original":"https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Header-Tort-pano-mobile.jpg","x_date":"septiembre 7, 2022","x_metadata":{"image_header_blog":"11103","_image_header_blog":"field_5f86255998692","name_author":"AsbestosClaims.Law Staff","_name_author":"field_5fa027bb365d8","image_author":"6020","_image_author":"field_5fa02869365d9","alternative_link":"","_alternative_link":"field_5faae1f7dd7d1","_yoast_wpseo_focuskeywords":"[]","_yoast_wpseo_keywordsynonyms":"[\"\"]","_yoast_wpseo_estimated_reading_time_minutes":"","_yoast_wpseo_wordproof_timestamp":"","_wp_old_date":"2022-09-09","_thumbnail_id":"11104","_yoast_post_redirect_info":{"origin":"asbestos-blog\/legal-learning-what-is-a-tort","target":"asbestos-blog\/what-is-a-tort","type":301,"format":"plain"},"_trp_translated_slug_es_ES":"que-es-un-agravio","name_location":"","_name_location":"field_63347737c6caa","image_location":"","_image_location":"field_6334775ac6cab","_yoast_indexnow_last_ping":"1690310557","title_location":"Asbestos Lawyer:","_title_location":"field_63dad6e7d72c9"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog\/11089","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/blog"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11104"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11089"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"blogtag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blogtag?post=11089"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}