A wrongful act or infringement of a right (not under contract) leading to civil liability is called a what?

• A. Parole
• B. Prison Rights
• C. Juvenile Rights
• D. Tort

Answer: (D)

A tort is a civil wrong that causes harm to a person or their property and for which the law allows the harmed party to seek compensation. It comes from fault or negligence in conduct rather than from an agreement or contract. This means the obligation to make things right arises from duties owed to others in everyday life, not from a promise written in a contract. The typical remedy is civil liability—damages or injunctions intended to compensate the victim or prevent further harm. For example, if someone slips on a wet floor that wasn’t properly marked and is injured, the injured person can pursue a tort claim to recover medical expenses and other losses.

The other options don’t fit because they refer to things unrelated to a civil wrong that imposes liability. Parole involves release from prison, prison rights concern the rights of incarcerated individuals, and juvenile rights focus on rights of minors. None of these describe the notion of a civil, non-contractual wrong that leads to civil liability.