A private or civil wrong caused by negligence or intent, for which damages may be sought, is known as what?

The term that describes a private or civil wrong arising from negligence or intent, for which damages can be pursued, is known as a tort. In legal terminology, a tort refers to an act that causes harm or loss to another person and can lead to civil legal liability. Torts can be categorized into various types, including intentional torts (where harm is deliberately inflicted) and unintentional torts (commonly associated with negligence, where harm results from a lack of reasonable care).

In a tort case, the injured party can seek compensation for the damages incurred due to the wrongful act. This area of law is significant within the broader context of civil law, differentiating it from criminal law, where the state seeks to punish the offender for violations of law that affect society.

While liability refers to the legal responsibility one holds for their actions or inactions, and a complaint is a formal legal document stating the grounds of a lawsuit, these do not specifically define the wrongful act itself. Similarly, a claim is a request for something, usually in the context of seeking compensation, but it is the tort itself that lays the groundwork for such claims within civil litigation.