What type of tort involve actions taken deliberately with the intent to harm?

In tort law, intentional torts refer to actions taken with the deliberate intention to cause harm to another person or their property. This category encompasses a range of behaviors that demonstrate a clear intent to inflict injury or distress. Examples include assault, battery, false imprisonment, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and trespass.

The key feature that differentiates intentional torts from other types of torts is the requisite state of mind of the defendant; they must have acted purposefully, knowing that their actions would likely result in harm. This intention distinguishes them from negligent torts, which arise from a failure to act with reasonable care, and strict liability torts, which impose liability without a finding of fault or intent. Accidental torts, while not a formal legal category, generally refer to injuries that occur without intent, aligning more closely with negligence claims.

Understanding the distinction among these categories is critical in tort law, as it informs the applicable legal standards and potential defenses available in litigation.