Tort law is the segment of law that addresses cases involving civil wrongs. If you have been hurt in some way by someone else’s negligence, carelessness, or malice, tort law may allow you to seek justice and financial compensation. Understanding the four elements that must be in place for a tort to have been committed can therefore be important to determining if you have a case.
The Four Elements of a Tort
In order for you to receive financial compensation from an injury, the four elements of a tort must be in place. These elements are:
- The presence of a duty. This may be as simple as the duty to take all reasonable precautions to prevent the injury of someone around you.
- The breach of duty. The defendant must have failed in his or her duty. An example may be a property owner who did not maintain his or her property, or a motorist who failed to drive safely.
- An injury occurred. You received a physical, mental, or emotional injury.
- The breach of duty caused the injury. There must be a causal link between the breach of duty and your injury.
If all of these elements are in place, you may be entitled to financial compensation.
If you or someone you love has been injured because of someone else’s carelessness and wish to seek financial compensation, please contact the St. Louis personal-injury attorneys of the Finney Law Office today by calling 314-646-0300.