A tort is the violation of a duty clearly set by law (not the same as breach of contract, which is the violation of a specific agreement between two parties). Duties required by law vary widely, but some examples include: a store's responsibility to provide a
safe shopping environment; a manufacturer's obligation to create a safe product; a restaurant's commitment to serving non-toxic foods; and many others.
When such a duty is breached, the injured party has the right to institute suit for compensatory damages. Certain torts, such as nuisance, may be suppressed by injunction. Many crimes are also torts; burglary, for instance, often constitutes trespass.
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