What is an Intentional Tort?

An intentional tort is a wrongful act that is done purposefully. The person who causes the harm does not necessarily have to intend to cause the harm—they only need to intend to perform the action.

A tort is a wrongful act or omission that causes harm to a person. There are different types of torts so that the specific wrong done to someone can be given the right attention and care. These include intentional torts, property torts, dignitary torts, economic torts, nuisance, negligence, duty to visitors, and strict liability.

An intentional tort is a wrongful act that is done purposefully. The person who causes the harm does not necessarily have to intend to cause the harm—they only need to intend to perform the action.

What is an Intentional Tort?

An intentional tort is a type of tort that results from the intentional act of another person. An intentional tort requires that a person deliberately commits an act. This is in contrast to other types of torts, like negligence or strict liability. These torts do not require that the party who caused the harm intended for the harm to occur, and allows room for accidents or mistakes.

What is an Example of an Intentional Tort?

There are many different types of intentional torts. Common intentional torts include:

Assault – Assault occurs when you intentionally put another person in reasonable apprehension of imminent harm or offensive contact.
Battery – Battery occurs when a person intentionally causes harmful or offensive contact with another person without that person’s consent.
Conversion – Conversion occurs when a person takes someone else’s property and converts it into their own property.
Defamation – Defamation occurs when someone knowingly says something false about someone else, and that false statement causes harm to that person.
False Imprisonment – False imprisonment occurs when a person restrains another person in a way that confines that person to a bounded area.
Fraud – Fraud occurs when a person lies, the person knows that the other person would believe them and rely on that information, and the other person is harmed.
Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress – Intentional infliction of emotional distress occurs when a person acts outrageously with the intent to cause a person to suffer severe emotional distress.
Trespass to Land – Trespass to land occurs when a person knowingly enters another person’s property without permission.
Trespass to Chattels – Trespass to chattels occurs when a person knowingly interferes with another person’s property that is not real estate (like livestock).

An example of a battery, which is an intentional tort, would be if a person intentionally hits another person in the face. The injured person could sue the person who hit them in civil court and hold them liable for their injuries.

How does an Intentional Tort Differ from Negligence?

An intentional tort is different from negligence because an intentional tort requires that the person who was harmed prove that the person who acted had the intent to perform the act. In a negligence tort, the injured person does not have to prove intent.

How do Intentional Torts Differ from Crimes?

Intentional torts can also be crimes. The difference between an intentional tort and a crime is that an intentional tort is a civil liability, while a crime is something that can be prosecuted in criminal court. An intentional tort is often remedied by suing for monetary damages. A crime can be remedied by putting the person who committed the crime in prison.

The Guardian Legal Network Connects You to Intentional Tort Attorneys

If you or a loved one was a victim of an intentional tort, you may have a valid legal claim against them. To find out if you are eligible to receive compensation for your injuries, you should contact Guardian Legal Network today. We will put you in touch with an experienced intentional tort attorney who will fight to get you the justice you deserve.

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