public harm
[/ˈpʌblɪk hɑːrm/]
nounpl: public harms
dano público
1. Injury, damage, or adverse effects caused to the general population or society as a whole rather than to a specific individual
The factory's pollution poses a significant public harm to the community's health.
A poluição da fábrica representa um dano público significativo à saúde da comunidade.
2. In legal contexts, harm that affects the welfare, safety, or interests of the public collectively
The court determined that the defendant's actions constituted a public harm requiring immediate intervention.
O tribunal determinou que as ações do réu constituíram um dano público que exigiu intervenção imediata.
3. Negative consequences or detriment to public interest, welfare, or safety
Environmental regulations are designed to prevent public harm from industrial activities.
As regulações ambientais são projetadas para prevenir danos públicos de atividades industriais.
In both Brazilian and American legal systems, 'public harm' is a critical concept in administrative law, environmental regulation, and criminal justice. In Brazil, it's commonly invoked in discussions about pollution, corruption (dano ao erário), and public health crises. In the USA, it appears frequently in regulatory enforcement, class action lawsuits, and public policy debates. The term reflects the principle that society has legitimate interests in protecting its collective welfare beyond individual rights.
Look up more words on Fala2Me
The free English-Portuguese dictionary with real Brazilian accents, NYC slang, conjugator and more
Open Fala2Me →