Many people in Savannah use the terms “tort law” and “personal injury law” interchangeably. While these areas overlap significantly, they aren’t quite the same thing. Understanding the distinction helps you know your legal rights and options after an accident or injury.
Keep reading to learn more about what each area of law is, how they overlap, and other related topics you may encounter after a personal injury accident.
What Is Tort Law?
Tort law is a broad area of civil law that covers wrongs committed by one person against another. The word “tort” comes from French and Latin words meaning “wrong” or “twisted.” When someone’s wrongful action harms you, tort law provides a way to seek compensation.
Torts include far more than just physical injuries. Property damage, defamation, fraud, and invasion of privacy all generally fall under tort law. Any civil wrong that causes harm can potentially be a tort.
The main purpose of tort law is to make the victims of these wrongs whole again. Courts award damages to compensate for losses (compensatory damages) and, in some cases, to punish wrongdoers (punitive damages). This body of law aims to discourage harmful behavior while providing justice to those who suffer harm.
The Three Categories of Torts
Tort law divides wrongs into three main categories based on the wrongdoer’s intent and actions. Each category has different legal standards and proof requirements. Understanding these distinctions matters when pursuing a claim.
The three types of torts are:
- Intentional torts, where someone deliberately causes harm
- Negligence torts, which involve careless or reckless behavior
- Strict liability torts, which hold parties responsible regardless of intent
Most personal injury cases fall under the category of negligence. However, some involve intentional torts, such as assault, or strict liability for defective products. Your specific situation determines which type of tort applies.
What Is Personal Injury Law?
Personal injury law is a subset of tort law. It specifically addresses torts that cause physical or psychological harm to people. This narrower scope deals exclusively with injuries to persons rather than property or reputation. Personal injury claims arise from many situations, but many of these cases involve negligence.
Examples of Personal Injury Cases
Personal injury law concentrates exclusively on harm to people’s bodies and minds. This focus allows attorneys to develop specialized knowledge about medical issues, injury valuation, and rehabilitation costs. The human element distinguishes these cases from other torts.
Common examples of personal injury cases include:
- Motor vehicle accidents that cause physical trauma
- Slip and fall incidents that result in broken bones or head injuries
- Medical malpractice that leads to worsened health conditions
- Defective products that cause burns, cuts, or other bodily harm
- Workplace accidents that result in serious injuries
- Dog bites that cause lacerations and scarring
Each type requires an understanding of specific medical conditions, treatment protocols, and long-term impacts. Personal injury lawyers often work with medical experts to prove the full extent of damages.
How Tort Law and Personal Injury Law Overlap
Personal injury law exists within the larger framework of tort law. Every personal injury case is a tort case, but not every tort case involves personal injury. Think of personal injury as a specialized branch of the broader tort tree.
Both areas use similar legal principles and procedures. In cases involving negligence, plaintiffs must prove the defendant owed a duty, breached that duty, and caused damages. The remedies available, typically monetary compensation, are also similar.
Most personal injury attorneys practice primarily in tort law. They understand the full range of civil wrongs, with a particular focus on cases involving bodily harm. This specialization allows them to develop deep expertise in injury-related matters.
Contact Our Savannah Personal Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Understanding the relationship between tort law and personal injury law helps you navigate the legal system. While personal injury is a subset of tort law, both areas provide remedies for harm caused by others. Knowing which applies to your situation helps guide you toward the appropriate legal resources.
For more information, please contact our experienced Savannah personal injury lawyer at Bowen Painter Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation today. We have a convenient location in Savannah, GA.
We proudly serve Chatham County, Georgia, and its surrounding areas.
Bowen Painter Injury Lawyers
308 Commercial Drive, Suite 100, Savannah, GA 31406
(912) 335-1909
Open 24/7
Our firm is located near you. We have an office in Savannah
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About The Author
Attorney Andrew Bowen is a founding partner of Bowen Painter Injury Lawyers based in Savannah, GA. He earned his law degree from Mercer University’s Walter F. George School of Law in 1998, after completing his undergraduate studies at Washington and Lee University. Licensed to practice in Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina, Andrew is also admitted to the federal courts in Georgia and South Carolina, the Court of Federal Claims in Washington, D.C., the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court. With over 25 years of legal experience focusing exclusively on personal injury and wrongful death cases since 2001, ranging from medical malpractice and automobile wrecks to commercial truck and motorcycle accidents. Andrew has established himself as a formidable advocate attorney in the Georgia community; his dedication to personally overseeing each case ensures that clients receive individualized attention and aggressive representation. Click here to view some of the exceptional case results Andrew has helped secure on behalf of injured clients.
Location: Savannah, GA
