What does the term "tort" refer to in legal terms?

The term "tort" in legal contexts specifically refers to a wrongful act or infringement that leads to civil liability. This encompasses actions that cause harm or loss to another person, allowing the injured party to seek compensation through the courts. In the realm of medical malpractice, torts often manifest in cases of negligence, where a healthcare provider fails to meet the standard of care, resulting in injury to a patient.

It's important to differentiate torts from other legal concepts. For instance, breaches of contract relate specifically to agreements between parties and do not encompass the broader wrongs defined under tort law. Criminal acts involve violations of laws that are punishable by the state, which is distinct from the civil nature of torts. Regulatory violations, while significant within the context of medical practice, address non-compliance with established laws or guidelines rather than the broader category of civil wrongs that torts represent. Thus, the answer highlighting an act of negligence that leads to civil liability captures the essence of what a tort is effectively about.