What is the legal defense of consent in tort law?

The legal defense of consent in tort law refers to the assertion that the plaintiff agreed to the conduct that led to the harm or injury. This defense centers around the idea that if an individual voluntarily agrees to an interaction or activity that results in an injury, they cannot later claim that the conduct was tortious. Consent can be either expressed or implied and is a key component in various types of tort cases, especially in situations involving intentional torts such as battery or negligence in certain contexts. For example, in contact sports, participants consent to a certain level of physical contact that may lead to injury, making it difficult for them to claim tort liability after the fact.

The other options do not accurately describe the defense of consent. A claim for property damage does not encompass the notion of consent, as it pertains specifically to damages incurred to property rather than personal injury or tortious actions. Economic damage typically refers to financial harm rather than to the concept of consent in tort law. Lastly, while consent is often relevant in the context of intentional torts, it is not limited to those cases; it can also apply in other tort contexts where the plaintiff’s consent is a significant factor. Thus, recognizing consent as an affirmative defense focuses primarily on the plaintiff's agreement to the