Legal Definitions - dignitary tort

A dignitary tort is a civil wrong that involves injury to one's reputation or honor. It is a type of tort, which is a breach of a duty that the law imposes on persons who stand in a particular relation to one another. Examples of dignitary torts include defamation, invasion of privacy, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

For instance, if someone spreads false and damaging information about another person, it could be considered defamation, which is a type of dignitary tort. Another example is invasion of privacy, which occurs when someone intrudes upon another person's private life without their consent.

These examples illustrate how dignitary torts involve harm to a person's reputation or honor, rather than physical harm or damage to property. They are often remedied through a civil lawsuit, where the injured party seeks damages for the harm caused by the tortfeasor.