Mark Casto | December 9, 2025 | Personal Injury Lawyer Near Columbus, Georgia
When someone is injured because of another person’s careless, reckless, or intentional conduct, it is natural to wonder what legal rights and remedies are available. Two legal terms often appear in this context: tort law and personal injury law. Although these terms are related, they do not mean the same thing.
Understanding the distinction is important for anyone involved in a Georgia personal injury claim. Keep reading to learn more.
What Is Tort Law?
Tort law is a broad area of civil law that deals with situations where someone suffers harm caused by another party’s wrongful act or omission. Tort law typically gives injured individuals, known as plaintiffs, the right to seek compensation from the party responsible for the harm, referred to as the defendant.
Tort law includes three main categories of case types:
1. Negligent Torts
These occur when someone fails to use reasonable care. Examples include car accidents, slip and fall cases, negligent security claims, and unsafe property conditions.
2. Intentional Torts
These involve deliberate actions that cause harm, such as assault, battery, false imprisonment, or intentional infliction of emotional distress.
3. Strict Liability Torts
Strict liability applies even in the absence of intent or negligence. In Georgia, strict liability is most commonly seen in product liability claims involving defective or dangerous consumer products. Some abnormally dangerous activities may also be subject to strict liability.
Because tort law covers all types of civil wrongs, it reaches far beyond claims involving physical injury.
What Is Personal Injury Law in Georgia?
Personal injury law is a specific area within tort law that focuses on physical, emotional, or psychological injuries. A personal injury case typically arises when someone is harmed due to the negligence or wrongful act of another party. Unlike other tort disputes involving property damage or financial loss, personal injury claims require proof of bodily injury or emotional harm.
Examples of personal injury cases in Georgia include:
- Auto accidents
- Truck collisions
- Motorcycle accidents
- Slip and fall injuries
- Premises liability claims
- Dog bites
- Medical malpractice
- Wrongful death
Personal injury law is a narrower field than tort law. It deals only with injuries to a person, not damage to property or business interests.
How Tort Law and Personal Injury Law Differ
Although personal injury law is part of tort law, there are important distinctions.
One main difference is the scope of each area of law. Tort law’s scope is broader and includes claims for property damage, financial loss, business interference, and emotional harm. Personal injury law generally applies only when someone is physically or emotionally harmed.
Related to scope, the purpose or aim in each area of law also varies slightly. Tort law seeks to resolve a wide variety of civil wrongs. Personal injury law is specifically designed to help injured individuals recover financially for their physical and/or emotional losses, enabling them to rebuild their lives and move on.
Why Understanding These Differences Matters After an Injury
Understanding the differences between tort law and personal injury law can help an injured person determine the type of claim they have, identify the applicable legal deadlines, and assess the potential compensation available.
In Georgia, all personal injury claims fall under the broader category of tort law; however, not all tort cases involve personal injuries. For example, a property damage dispute is a tort case, but it is not a personal injury claim. That kind of case usually has different elements, evidence, deadlines, and relief than a car accident case might.
Contact Our Columbus Personal Injury Lawyer at Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm for a Free Consultation
If you’re still unsure what type of legal case you might have in your situation, one of the best ways to find out is to consult with a Columbus personal injury lawyer. Our team at Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm offers complimentary consultations to get started. Call us today to schedule one.
If you were injured in an accident in Columbus, GA, and need legal help, contact our Columbus personal injury lawyers at Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm to schedule a free case review today.
Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm
233 12th St #808, Columbus, GA 31901
(706) 940-4030