A tort is a wrongful act (other than a breach of a contract) that creates civil legal liability for money damages—and in some situations entitles the injured party to injunctive relief—an injunction or court order for the person or entity committing the wrongful act to stop a certain behavior or action. A person who commits a tort is known as a tortfeasor.

Torts are often associated with personal injury claims, as many torts can cause personal injuries. These claims and the related law are sometimes broadly referred to as tort law.

In New Jersey, as in other states, a tort is considered a civil wrong that can result in the tortfeasor (the person who commits the tort) being held legally liable for damages to the injured party. Tort law in New Jersey encompasses a variety of wrongful acts, including but not limited to negligence, intentional infliction of emotional distress, defamation, and product liability. Personal injury claims are a common type of tort claim in the state, where individuals seek compensation for injuries sustained due to another's wrongful actions. New Jersey follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which means that a plaintiff can recover damages only if their share of fault for the injury is less than the defendant's. Additionally, there are statutory limitations on certain types of damages and time limits, known as statutes of limitations, within which a tort claim must be filed. For instance, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims in New Jersey is generally two years from the date of the injury. In some cases, tort law in New Jersey also allows for injunctive relief, which is a court order requiring the tortfeasor to stop the harmful behavior.