Legal Glossary

In everyday legal terms, “conversion” usually means taking or using someone else’s property without permission in a way that treats it as your own.

It’s a civil wrong (a tort), not a criminal charge, though the same conduct might also be theft under criminal law.

• Key points in plain English:
• It’s about property rights.
• You don’t have to steal it forever — even borrowing without permission and refusing to return it can be conversion.
• The core idea is exercising control over someone else’s property as if it were yours, against their rights.

The person harmed can sue for the value of the property or its return.

Vicarious liability means being held legally responsible for someone else’s actions — not because you personally did something wrong, but because of your legal relationship with the person who did.

It most often comes up in situations like:

• Employers and employees – If an employee causes harm while doing their job duties, the employer can be liable.
• Parents and children – In some cases, parents can be responsible for certain wrongful acts of their minor kids.

Key points in plain English:

• It’s based on a legal connection or control — not direct fault.
• The wrongful act must usually happen “within the scope” of the relationship (e.g., during work hours for an employee).
• The person held liable may have to pay damages even if they weren’t directly involved.

In everyday legal language, damages are money awarded by a court to someone who was harmed, to compensate for their loss or injury.

They’re the legal system’s way of trying to make the injured person “whole” again — at least financially.

Key points in plain English:

• Damages are money, not punishment (though some special types, like punitive damages, are meant to punish).
• They can cover things like medical bills, lost wages, repair costs, or pain and suffering.
• The amount depends on proof of harm and the type of case.

A tort is a wrongful act — other than breaking a contract — that causes someone harm, and for which the law lets the injured person sue for money or other remedies.

It’s part of civil law, not criminal law (though the same act can sometimes be both).

Key points in plain English:

• A tort happens when someone violates another person’s rights or fails to act with reasonable care, causing harm.
• The harm can be physical, emotional, or financial.
• The person harmed can usually seek damages (money) or sometimes other remedies like an injunction.

Common examples of torts:

• Negligence – Carelessness that causes injury (e.g., texting while driving and hitting someone).
• Defamation – Spreading false statements that damage someone’s reputation.
• Trespass – Entering someone’s property without permission.
• Conversion – Wrongfully taking or using someone else’s property.