Learning just a little about them helps us to understand when the legal system can help us, and when it can not.
Tort law governs intentional and negligent conduct between people.
There are intentional torts, such as assault, battery, false imprisonment, and defamation. The other side of tort law concerns negligent acts, like accidents and negligent performance of some job or task. Unless the facts of a particular situation fit one of the defined torts recognized by law, there may be no way to recover in court. If there is a recovery available, the extent of damages that can be recovered will depend on the tort involved. The amount of damages will be related to the actual damage done, the maliciousness of the act, and the ability of the defendant to pay.