wrongful

Wrongful is an adjective used to describe conduct that is contrary to law or to accepted standards of fairness. In everyday use it can imply something illegal or immoral, but in legal language it often refers to a civil wrong—an act or omission that breaches a legal duty owed to another and gives rise to liability.

In civil law, wrongful acts include negligence, intentional torts, and breaches of contract. A claimant may seek damages for a wrongful act that causes harm, injury, or loss. The term appears in many specific claims, such as wrongful death, wrongful termination, and wrongful confinement.

Wrongful is distinct from illegal; something illegal is prohibited by statute, whereas something wrongful denotes a breach of a duty or right, which may or may not be criminal. Some conduct can be both illegal and wrongful, while other wrongful acts remain civil rather than criminal charges.

Because law varies by jurisdiction, the exact definition and remedies for wrongful conduct depend on local statutes, case law, and the type of claim. Morality or ethics, while related in everyday language, do not necessarily establish legal liability.

Etymology: wrongful derives from old English wrang meaning incorrect or wrong; in modern usage it forms a compound adjective with many nouns to describe legally actionable harm.