Legal Definitions - interspousal tort immunity

Interspousal tort immunity is a legal doctrine that provides immunity to one spouse from being sued by the other spouse for personal injury. This means that if one spouse injures the other, the injured spouse cannot sue the other for damages. This immunity was abolished in most states by judicial opinion or statute.

For example, if a husband accidentally injures his wife while they are playing a sport, the wife cannot sue the husband for damages because of interspousal tort immunity.