What Is a Tortfeasor?

A tortfeasor is the individual, company, or other entity that commits a civil wrong, known as a tort, that causes harm to someone else. The term is frequently used in personal injury and insurance cases. A driver who negligently causes a crash may be the tortfeasor, as may a property owner who negligently allows a dangerous condition to cause an injury. Manufacturers, employers, medical providers, and corporations can also be tortfeasors depending on the claim. To hold a person legally responsible, the injured party must prove the elements of the relevant tort. In a negligence action, those elements generally include a duty, breach of duty, causation, and damages. More than one tortfeasor can sometimes contribute to the same injury. How responsibility is divided among multiple parties depends on the jurisdiction’s rules concerning comparative fault, contribution, and joint liability.