What characterizes intentional torts?

Intentional torts are characterized by acts that are meant to cause harm to another individual. This means that the person committing the tort has a deliberate intention to inflict injury or distress, whether physically or emotionally, on the victim. This distinguishes intentional torts from other types of torts, such as negligence, where harm occurs without the intent to cause it. Examples of intentional torts include assault, battery, trespass, and defamation, all of which involve an active decision on the part of the tortfeasor to bring about harm.

In contrast, unintentional harm is associated with negligence, where the individual did not intend to cause harm but failed to exercise the required standard of care, resulting in injury or damage. Professional negligence pertains specifically to professionals failing to meet the standards expected in their field, which does not apply to the broader category of intentional torts. Informed consent is relevant in contexts such as medical procedures and ethical treatments rather than directly linked to the definition or characteristics of intentional torts. Therefore, the element of intention to cause harm is a key defining characteristic that makes the understanding of intentional torts distinct from other legal concepts.