What is a wrongful act that leads to civil legal liability commonly referred to as?

A wrongful act that leads to civil legal liability is commonly referred to as a tort. This legal concept encompasses various types of wrongful acts that cause harm or loss to individuals, which can lead to civil lawsuits. Torts can arise from intentional actions, such as assault, or from negligent behavior, where a person's failure to exercise reasonable care results in harm to another person.

Understanding tort law is crucial in the civil justice system because it provides a framework for individuals to seek compensation for damages resulting from another's actions. This compensation typically seeks to make the injured party whole again, covering aspects such as medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

While negligence is a specific type of tort involving carelessness, not all wrongful acts fall under negligence. Contractual breach refers to failing to fulfill the terms of a contract, and expropriation involves a government taking private property for public use, usually with compensation. These terms denote different legal concepts that do not precisely define the broader category of wrongful acts that tort law covers.