What is the primary focus of tort law?

The primary focus of tort law is compensation for damages. Tort law addresses situations where one party's wrongful conduct causes harm or injury to another party, and it seeks to provide remedies to the injured party. The essence of tort law is to make the victim whole again, typically through monetary compensation for losses that can include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages that resulted from the wrongful act.

This area of law encompasses various types of torts, including negligence, intentional torts, and strict liability. Each of these categories focuses on wrongs that impact individuals and their ability to seek redress from those who cause harm. By emphasizing compensation, tort law serves both a corrective function—by holding wrongdoers accountable—and a preventative function—by encouraging individuals and entities to engage in responsible behavior to avoid causing harm to others.

In contrast, criminal law deals with offenses against the state and focuses on punishment rather than compensation. Regulation of businesses falls under administrative or corporate laws, which handle compliance rather than individual harm. Property disputes primarily revolve around ownership and rights associated with tangible assets, distinguishing them from the personal injury concerns central to tort law.