Legal Definitions - tortious act

Definition: A tortious act is a voluntary action that results in harm or injury to another person, making the actor liable under tort law principles.

Examples:

• A driver who runs a red light and causes a car accident
• An employer who fails to provide a safe working environment and an employee is injured as a result
• A doctor who performs a surgery incorrectly and causes harm to the patient

These examples illustrate how a tortious act is a voluntary action that results in harm or injury to another person. In each case, the actor (driver, employer, doctor) had control over their actions and chose to act in a way that caused harm to another person.