What term describes a civil wrong that arises from breaching a legal duty?

The term that describes a civil wrong arising from breaching a legal duty is a tort. A tort is a legal term that encompasses a variety of wrongful acts committed against individuals or entities, which result in harm or loss. This breach of duty can result in the injured party seeking compensation through civil litigation. Torts are categorized into intentional torts, negligence, and strict liability, where each category addresses different kinds of breach and resulting harm.

Understanding that a tort is foundational in civil law helps to clarify the distinction between torts and other legal concepts like contracts and crimes. For instance, while contracts involve agreements where parties owe each other specific duties, torts focus on violations of legal duties that exist independently of those agreements. Similarly, assault is a specific type of tort dealing with intentional threats or efforts to cause harm rather than the broader category of civil wrongs. Negligence, in itself, is a type of tort which arises when someone fails to take reasonable care, leading to unintended harm. Therefore, recognizing tort as the overarching term for civil wrongs provides essential context for analyzing various legal scenarios and responsibilities.