INTENTIONAL TORTS

A tort is an act that causes harm to a person or property and is recognized by the law as grounds for a lawsuit to recover damages caused by it.

Negligence is the area of tort law that deals with harms caused by a defendant’s carelessness—accidents typically fall into this category. When a harmful act is done on purpose, that is an intentional tort. Common intentional torts are assault, battery, false imprisonment, trespass, conversion, intentional infliction of emotional distress, defamation, invasion of privacy, and fraud.



In many cases, these acts are the subject of criminal cases. In a criminal case, it is the government that prosecutes the act for the good of the people. Injured people may still pursue justice for these acts in civil court and recover damages, which can include costs incurred as a result of the injury as well as punitive damages.

What Are Intentional Torts?

Intentional torts differ from negligence because they involve deliberate actions intended to cause harm. The harm may be physical, emotional, or financial, but the defining factor is the intent behind the act. For example, assault and battery involve purposeful harm, while defamation involves intentionally spreading falsehoods to damage someone’s reputation. Each of these cases provides the injured party the right to seek compensation in civil court.

The intentional act of one person can be related to the negligence or carelessness of another, and, as a result, more than one person or entity may be liable for your damages. There can also be insurance coverage available. For instance, if you are injured by a drunk person, there could be dram shop liability if a bar or restaurant over-served that person.



Additionally, workplace intentional torts can intersect with employer liability. If an employee commits an intentional tort while performing their job duties, the employer may share responsibility under certain circumstances. This makes it essential to identify all potentially liable parties when pursuing a claim.

Damages in Intentional Tort Cases

If you’ve been harmed by an intentional act, you may be eligible to recover various types of damages, including:

Every intentional tort case is unique, and the damages recoverable will depend on the specific facts of your situation.

Examples of Intentional Torts

Some common examples of intentional torts include:

Intentional torts can affect every aspect of a person’s life, from physical health to emotional well-being and financial stability.

Take Action With Pattis & Paz

If you have been harmed by a person or organization’s intentional act, you can take action. Contact the attorneys at Pattis & Paz today to find out how. Our team will evaluate your case, identify all liable parties, and fight to recover the damages you are entitled to. Don’t wait—take the first step toward justice by reaching out to us today.