Which of the following legal concepts involves holding someone accountable for a wrongful act?

Prepare for the Medical Assistant Law and Ethics Test. Use flashcards and multiple-choice questions, with hints and explanations for each question. Ensure success on your test!

The correct response is the first choice. A tort is a legal concept that refers to a civil wrong or wrongful act that causes harm to another person, leading to legal liability. In the context of tort law, the injured party can seek compensation or remedy from the party that committed the wrongful act. Torts can involve various actions, including negligence, intentional wrongs, or strict liability offenses.

Understanding torts is crucial in the medical field, as they encompass situations such as medical malpractice, where a healthcare provider fails to meet the standard of care and causes harm to a patient. The concept emphasizes personal accountability and the obligation of individuals to avoid causing harm to others through their actions.

While liability pertains to the state of being legally responsible for something, such as in cases of torts, it is a broader term that encompasses various scenarios and types of legal responsibility. Negligence refers specifically to a failure to exercise the care that a reasonably prudent person would under similar circumstances, which is a significant aspect of tort law but not the overarching concept itself. Statutory law consists of laws enacted by a legislative body, and while it can relate to torts, it does not describe the act of holding someone accountable directly.

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