Which term describes a private or civil wrong that may lead to legal action for damages?

The term that describes a private or civil wrong that may lead to legal action for damages is "tort." A tort refers to an act or omission that results in harm or injury to another person, providing grounds for a civil lawsuit. The key concept here is that a tort constitutes a breach of a duty that the law imposes, allowing the injured party to seek compensation.

Torts can include various wrongs, such as negligence, defamation, assault, and more, distinguishing them from other legal terms that focus on different principles. For instance, fiduciary refers to a relationship involving trust, contract involves explicit agreements between parties, and fraud pertains to deception intended to secure unfair or unlawful gain. In the context of legal liability, torts are crucial because they establish the framework for holding individuals accountable for their wrongful actions that cause harm, thereby enabling victims to pursue damages through the civil justice system.