The modern phrase which all of us are familiar with is "Personal Injury," but in law, it is also known as a "tort," or the French word for "wrong." Personal injury or tort law is intended to compensate you as the victim for someone else's carelessness, recklessness, or intentional misconduct if such action injures or damages you. For example, if someone hits the back of your car while you are stopped at a red light, and you fractured, that is broke your ankle, that person commits a tort.

The person whose action results in a personal injury is often referred to as the "tortfeasor." If the injured party files a lawsuit, that is, starts an official litigation filed in Court, he or she is called a "plaintiff" or "claimant," and the wrongdoer is called a "defendant."

Some common personal injury claims involve:

• Slip and Fall Accidents (a person slips, falls, and is injured on someone else's property), for example, grocery stores, discount and department stores, malls, and apartment complexes;
• Injuries on the Job (workplace accidents) or Workers Compensation;
• Motor Vehicle Accidents (accidents caused by reckless or careless driving);
• Nursing Home Neglect
• Product Defects - Injuries or death as a result of a defective product such as automotive and consumer products, medical equipment, surgical prostheses, drugs, industrial equipment, and household appliances.