Legal Definitions - civil wrong

A civil wrong refers to an act or omission that causes harm to another person or entity, leading to a legal dispute between private parties. Unlike a criminal wrong, which is an offense against society prosecuted by the state, a civil wrong typically involves a dispute between individuals, businesses, or other private entities. The primary goal in a civil wrong case is usually to compensate the injured party for their losses, rather than to punish the wrongdoer with imprisonment.

Many civil wrongs fall under the category of torts, which are wrongful acts (other than breaches of contract) that result in injury to another's person, property, reputation, or the like, and for which the injured party is entitled to compensation.

• Example 1: Negligent Driving

  Imagine a driver who is distracted by their phone and accidentally runs a red light, colliding with another vehicle. The driver of the second vehicle suffers whiplash injuries and their car is significantly damaged.

  Explanation: The distracted driver's actions constitute a civil wrong because they failed to exercise reasonable care (negligence) while driving, directly causing physical injury and property damage to another individual. The injured driver can sue the distracted driver in civil court to seek compensation for medical bills, car repairs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. This is a private dispute between two individuals, not a criminal prosecution by the state, although the distracted driver might also face traffic citations.

• Example 2: Breach of Contract in Construction

  A homeowner hires a contractor to build an extension on their house, and they sign a detailed contract outlining the scope of work, materials, timeline, and payment schedule. The contractor, however, uses substandard materials not specified in the contract and abandons the project before completion, leaving the homeowner with an unfinished and structurally unsound addition.

  Explanation: The contractor's failure to adhere to the terms of the signed agreement and abandoning the project is a civil wrong, specifically a breach of contract. The homeowner has suffered financial harm (e.g., needing to hire another contractor to fix the work and complete the project, potential devaluation of their property). The homeowner can sue the contractor in civil court to recover damages for these financial losses.

• Example 3: Defamation of Character

  A local business owner falsely spreads rumors online that a competitor's restaurant uses unsanitary practices and serves spoiled food, without any factual basis. As a result, the competitor's restaurant experiences a significant drop in customers and revenue, and its reputation is severely damaged.

  Explanation: The business owner's false and damaging statements constitute a civil wrong known as defamation. These untrue statements harmed the competitor's reputation and caused them financial losses. The restaurant owner can sue the business owner in civil court to seek compensation for the lost profits and damage to their business's good name. This legal action aims to rectify the harm caused to the private business, rather than to punish a crime against the state.