Chapter 10: Intentional Torts

Flashcards covering key vocabulary terms and definitions related to intentional torts and negligence.

Tort

A civil wrong committed by a party against another party that gives rise to an action for damages.

Intentional Torts

Torts that involve deliberate actions causing harm to persons or property.

Assault

An intentional act that creates in another person a reasonable apprehension of immediate harmful or offensive contact.

Battery

Intentional harmful or offensive physical contact with another person.

False Imprisonment

The intentional confinement or restraint of another person without justification.

Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress

An intentional act that results in extreme or outrageous conduct leading to severe emotional distress.

Defamation

The wrongful injury to the reputation of another person, including oral (slander) and written (libel) statements.

Trespass to Land

Intentional entry onto another’s land without permission.

Trespass to Chattels/Personalty

The wrongful interference with the personal property of another.

Conversion

Substantial interference with the property rights of another in their personal property.

Tortious Contractual Interference

When someone knowingly induces another to breach an existing contract.

Negligence

A failure to exercise the standard of care that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in a similar situation.

Causation in Fact

A concept in negligence law referring to whether an injury would not have occurred but for the defendant’s conduct.

Proximate Cause

A legal concept that refers to the closeness between the defendant's conduct and the injury.

Damages

Monetary compensation awarded to a plaintiff for losses suffered due to the defendant's negligence.

Defenses to Negligence

Legal defenses that can reduce or eliminate liability in negligence claims, including assumption of risk and contributory negligence.