What is the term for the party accused of committing a tort action?

What is the term for the party accused of committing a tort action?

• A. Plaintiff
• B. Claimant
• C. Respondent
• D. Defendant

Answer: (D)

In civil tort cases, the party accused of causing the harm is the defendant. The person who brings the lawsuit and asserts the tort is the plaintiff (or claimant in some contexts), and the defendant must respond to those allegations in court. The term respondent is used in other legal contexts, but for a tort action, the standard term for the accused is defendant.

In civil tort cases, the party accused of causing the harm is the defendant. The person who brings the lawsuit and asserts the tort is the plaintiff (or claimant in some contexts), and the defendant must respond to those allegations in court. The term respondent is used in other legal contexts, but for a tort action, the standard term for the accused is defendant.