Legal Definitions - wrongful conduct

Wrongful conduct refers to an action or inaction that violates a legal duty or standard of care, causing harm or injury to another party, and for which the law provides a remedy. It is conduct that is legally impermissible and can lead to civil liability (such as paying damages) or criminal penalties (such as fines or imprisonment).

Here are some examples of wrongful conduct:

• Example 1: Negligence in a Commercial Setting

  A restaurant owner fails to regularly inspect and clean the kitchen floor, leading to a build-up of grease. A delivery person slips on the greasy floor, falls, and suffers a severe back injury. The restaurant owner's failure to maintain a safe environment, which is a legal duty owed to visitors, constitutes wrongful conduct. This negligence directly caused the delivery person's injury, potentially leading to a civil lawsuit for damages.

• Example 2: Criminal Assault

  During an argument, one individual intentionally shoves another person, causing them to fall and hit their head. The act of intentionally pushing someone with force, resulting in injury, is wrongful conduct because it violates criminal laws against assault. This action could lead to criminal charges and penalties, as well as a civil claim for the victim's injuries.

• Example 3: Professional Malpractice

  A financial advisor, despite being aware of a client's low-risk investment preferences, intentionally recommends and invests a significant portion of the client's savings into highly speculative and unsuitable ventures without proper disclosure. When these investments fail, the client loses a substantial amount of money. The financial advisor's actions represent wrongful conduct because they breached their professional duty to act in the client's best interest and provide suitable advice, potentially leading to a malpractice lawsuit.