How is "assault" characterized in tort law?

In tort law, "assault" is characterized as an act that causes another person to apprehend imminent harmful or offensive contact. This means that for an act to be considered assault, it must instill a reasonable fear or apprehension of immediate harm in the victim, even if no physical contact actually occurs. The critical elements involve the intent behind the act and the perception of the victim; the victim must reasonably believe that harm is imminent.

In this context, the focus is on the victim's state of mind rather than any physical interaction, which distinguishes assault from other torts such as battery, where actual harmful contact must occur. The result is that an individual can be liable for assault even if they do not physically touch the person they threaten, as long as their actions create a fear of imminent harm.

The other choices identify legal concepts that do not specifically define assault. Unlawful physical contact without consent refers to battery, failure to warn about known risks aligns more with negligence, and a legal obligation to intervene in emergencies is related to rescue doctrines rather than tortious assault.