A tort is a civil wrong or wrongful act that results in injury or harm to another person or their property. Torts are the basis for most personal injury lawsuits and can include actions such as negligence, intentional harm, and strict liability. The primary purpose of tort law is to provide a remedy, usually monetary compensation, to the person who has been wronged, and to deter others from committing similar wrongs. Torts can be divided into three general categories: intentional torts, in which the defendant intended to cause harm; negligence, in which the defendant had a duty to exercise reasonable care and failed to do so; and strict liability, in which the defendant is liable for harm caused regardless of intent or negligence.