What is the term for a wrongful act that results in injury?

The term that describes a wrongful act that results in injury is "tort." A tort is a civil wrong that causes harm or loss to an individual, allowing the injured party to seek legal remedy. Torts can include a wide array of wrongful acts that are not necessarily criminal in nature, such as personal injury, property damage, or defamation.

In the context of law, the concept of a tort encompasses various forms of wrongful conduct, whether intentional or unintentional. This is significant because it establishes a legal basis for individuals to hold others accountable for their actions that have caused harm.

While negligence and malpractice are related concepts that fall under the umbrella of tort law, they refer to specific types of torts. Negligence involves a failure to exercise reasonable care, resulting in damage or injury, while malpractice specifically refers to professional negligence, particularly in the healthcare field. Defensive medicine does not pertain to wrongful acts resulting in injury but instead refers to practices undertaken by medical professionals to protect themselves from potential liability.