What is the term for a claim where a plaintiff alleges that their civil rights have been violated by a defendant in a position of authority?

The term "violation of civil rights" specifically refers to a legal claim made by a plaintiff asserting that their rights, as established under the Constitution or various civil rights laws, have been infringed upon by someone in a position of authority, such as law enforcement or government officials. This type of claim acknowledges the significant responsibility held by individuals in authority to uphold the rights of citizens and provides a legal framework for holding them accountable when such rights are violated.

In this context, civil rights can encompass a wide range of protections, including issues related to discrimination, excessive force, due process, and equal protection under the law. When a plaintiff successfully demonstrates that their civil rights have been violated, it can lead to remedies such as monetary compensation or changes in policy.

Other options listed, such as intentional torts, negligence torts, or gross negligence, do not specifically address the context of civil rights violations. Intentional torts involve intentional actions that cause harm to another person, negligence torts arise from failures to act reasonably, and gross negligence denotes extreme carelessness that leads to significant harm. None of these terms capture the unique nature of claims based on civil rights infringements by individuals in positions of authority.