Which area of law focuses on the rights and responsibilities of individuals who have been harmed?

Tort law is the area of law that specifically addresses the rights and responsibilities of individuals who have suffered harm due to the actions or omissions of others. It involves civil legal claims for damages or injuries suffered as a result of negligence, intentional wrongdoing, or strict liability. In tort law, the harmed party (the plaintiff) seeks compensation or restitution from the party responsible for the harm (the defendant), thereby focusing on issues such as personal injury, property damage, and emotional distress.

This field encompasses various types of torts, including negligence cases (e.g., car accidents, medical malpractice), intentional torts (e.g., assault, defamation), and strict liability torts (e.g., defective products). The objectives of tort law include providing relief for the injured party, holding the wrongdoer accountable, and deterring others from committing similar offenses.

In contrast, other areas of law mentioned, such as contract law, focus on obligations and rights arising from agreements between parties; civil law encompasses both torts and contract law but is broader and includes any non-criminal legal matters; and criminal law deals with offenses against the state or government rather than individual harm, focusing on punishing wrongdoers rather than compensating victims.