A tort is an “act or omission that causes legally cognizable harm to persons or property,” as Congress.gov explains.
What Does a Tort Mean in Layman’s Terms?
A tort, in layman’s terms, is a careless or intentional act that injures someone else or their property. Essentially, if someone behaved negligently and hurt you, that is a tort.
Examples of Torts
Here are a few examples of the types of torts we have handled.
A Distracted Truck Driver Causes a Highway Crash
A tractor-trailer driver on the Cross Bronx Expressway looks down at a text message and drifts into another lane, slamming into a family car. The impact leaves the driver with a traumatic brain injury and permanent mobility limitations.
The truck driver failed to use reasonable care, and that carelessness caused catastrophic harm.
A Building Owner Ignores a Dangerous Condition
A Midtown commercial building has a loose metal grate outside its entrance. Tenants have complained for months, but nothing gets fixed. One morning, a man steps onto the grate, it tips forward, and he falls into the opening, suffering severe spinal injuries.
The owner failed to maintain safe property conditions, creating a dangerous hazard that caused devastating injuries.
A Construction Contractor Violates NYC Safety Rules
On a Brooklyn construction site, a contractor ignores safety regulations and allows workers to use a ladder positioned over a wet, slippery area. A union worker climbs the ladder, slips, and falls, resulting in paralysis.
The contractor failed to follow basic safety standards, causing catastrophic harm.
A Trucking Company Sends Out a Poorly Maintained Vehicle
A trucking company in Queens skips required brake inspections to save time. Days later, the brakes fail on the BQE, and the truck rear-ends multiple vehicles. A motorist suffers life-altering spinal injuries.
Even if the driver did nothing wrong, the company is likely liable because it ignored federal safety rules.
An Airline Maintenance Crew Skips a Required Inspection
A maintenance team fails to check a critical component of an aircraft, even though the issue was reported during a prior flight. The plane malfunctions shortly after takeoff, resulting in a tragic crash and multiple fatalities.
This is negligence because the crew failed to take reasonable steps to prevent a foreseeable disaster.
What This Means for You
Understanding torts helps you understand whether you may have been the victim of one. If so, a lawyer from our firm can help you seek justice and compensation.
