Collateral damage is a term often used to refer to unintended damage that occurs on the sidelines of an action, especially in military operations. Specifically, when an attack is carried out against a primary target, collateral damage such as loss of life, damage to civilian property, or environmental damage is called "collateral damage". The term can also be applied in other fields, such as business or politics, to refer to the unintended negative consequences that an action or decision may cause.