Which term refers to a wrongful act that can lead to a legal liability?

The term that refers to a wrongful act that can lead to a legal liability is "tort." In legal terms, a tort is a civil wrongdoing, which may be intentional, such as assault or defamation, or unintentional, such as negligence causing an accident. When someone commits a tort, they can be held liable for the damages resulting from their actions, and the injured party can seek compensation through a civil lawsuit.

On the other hand, a contract is a legally binding agreement between parties, which does not inherently concern wrongful acts but rather the fulfillment of agreed terms. A statute refers to written laws enacted by a legislative body, which provides rules and legal standards but does not define wrongful acts on its own. Precedent involves previous judicial decisions that influence future cases, helping to interpret laws and statutes but not directly relating to the concept of a wrongful act in the way that a tort does.