Which type of tort involves the intention to cause harm?

The type of tort that involves the intention to cause harm is an intentional tort. This category of tort law pertains to actions where the perpetrator consciously aims to inflict injury or damage upon another individual. It is characterized by the deliberate nature of the act, where the offender not only understands that their actions could cause harm but also chooses to engage in those actions regardless.

Examples of intentional torts include assault, battery, false imprisonment, and defamation. In these instances, the key element is the intent behind the action; the wrongdoer has a purposeful desire to bring about harm or to create a certain outcome that negatively impacts another person.

Understanding the significance of intent in this tort type is crucial, as it distinguishes intentional torts from others, such as negligent torts, where harm results from a failure to exercise reasonable care, or strict liability torts, where accountability does not even hinge on intent but rather on the nature of the activity itself.