What term describes a wrongful act that can lead to a legal action for damages?

The term that describes a wrongful act that can lead to a legal action for damages is "tort." In legal contexts, a tort refers to an act or an omission that results in harm or injury to another person, leading to civil liability. This means that if a person suffers damages as a result of a tortious act, they have the right to seek compensation through a lawsuit.

Torts can be divided into various categories, such as intentional torts, negligence, and strict liability. For instance, if a medical assistant commits a wrongful act that harms a patient, such as failing to follow proper protocols leading to injury, that could be classified as a tort. The injured party may then pursue legal action for damages caused by that wrongful act.

Other terms like plea, contract, and statute have distinct meanings in law. A plea pertains to a defendant's response in a criminal trial, a contract is a legally binding agreement between parties, and a statute refers to a written law passed by a legislative body. Each of these terms relates to different aspects of law but does not specifically describe a wrongful act leading to damages, which is precisely what a tort encompasses.