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 a civil wrong, which may result in injury or harm to another person, leading to court-ordered compensation. Torts are categorized into various types, including intentional torts, negligence, and strict liability, each addressing different kinds of wrongful acts.

Understanding torts is essential because they form the basis of many legal claims arising from personal injury, property damage, and other grievances outside of contractual obligations. The primary goal of tort law is to provide relief to the injured party and to deter others from committing similar harmful acts.

In contrast, a plea refers to a formal statement made by a defendant concerning their guilt or innocence in a criminal case, while a contract is a legally binding agreement between two or more parties. A statute is a written law enacted by a legislative body. Each of these concepts plays a distinct role in the legal system, but they do not pertain directly to the wrongful acts causing damages as torts do.