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An intentional tort can have serious effects on your life because these cases involve actions done on purpose that cause harm, which means the impact is often more direct, more personal, and sometimes more severe than typical personal injury cases, especially when emotional distress, physical injuries, or property damage are involved.
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Davidoff Law helps you understand intentional tort cases, prove intent, and pursue justice after a wrongful act by building a strong personal injury claim with evidence, medical records, and legal strategy so that you can recover compensation for your losses.
Call (929) 547-9564 today for a free consultation and speak with our New York personal injury lawyer about your legal options.
What Is an Intentional Tort?
An intentional tort is a type of tort in which a person commits an intentional act that causes harm, meaning the defendant knew or should have known that their actions would likely result in injury, including harmful or offensive contact, emotional distress, or damage to personal property.
Difference Between Intentional Torts and Negligence
| Factor | Intentional Torts | Negligent Torts |
|---|---|---|
| Mental State | Intent or knowledge of harm | Lack of reasonable care |
| Conduct | Purposeful wrongful act | Careless behavior |
| Example | Assault, battery, false imprisonment | Car accident due to negligence |
| Legal Focus | Intentional harm | Failure to act with reasonable care |
| Liability | Defendant is found liable for intentional actions | Defendant is liable for negligence |
What Are the Elements of an Intentional Tort?
To prove an intentional tort, the plaintiff must show that the defendant acted with intent and caused harm through a wrongful act, which means each element must be supported by evidence to establish liability in a personal injury claim.
Davidoff Law helps clients prove these elements and build strong cases for compensation.
Intent to Act
The defendant must have intended to perform the act that caused harm, even if they did not intend the full extent of the injury. This means the focus is on the intentional act itself, not just the final result of the harm.
Knowledge of Likely Harm
The defendant knew or should have known that their actions would likely cause harm or offensive contact. This element shows that the defendant understood the risk and still chose to act anyway.
Causation and Resulting Injury
The act must directly cause the injury, which means there must be a clear proximate cause between the conduct and the harm. This requires showing a strong link between the defendant’s actions and the injuries suffered by the victim.
Damages Suffered by the Victim
The plaintiff must show actual damages, such as physical injuries, emotional distress, or financial loss. These damages must be supported by evidence demonstrating the extent of harm and justifying compensation.
Common Types of Intentional Torts
There are many types of intentional torts recognized under the law, which involve different forms of wrongful conduct that cause harm to another person or their property. These common intentional torts often lead to civil lawsuits where victims seek monetary compensation for injuries and losses.
Assault and Battery
Assault involves the threat of harmful contact, while battery involves actual harmful or offensive contact without consent. These claims focus on intentional actions that create fear or cause direct physical injuries to the victim.
False Imprisonment
False imprisonment occurs when a person is unlawfully restrained without legal authority. This means the victim is not free to leave, and the restriction is done without consent or legal justification.
Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (IIED)
This tort involves extreme and outrageous conduct that causes severe emotional distress. The harm may include serious emotional injuries that affect the victim’s mental health and daily life.
Trespass to Land or Property
Trespass involves entering someone else's property or interfering with personal property without permission. This wrongful act can lead to legal action when it causes harm, damage, or loss to the property owner.
Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (IIED)
Intentional infliction of emotional distress occurs when a defendant engages in outrageous conduct that causes severe emotional injury, which means the behavior goes beyond normal conduct and results in serious harm. This claim focuses on mental suffering and may not require physical contact if the emotional distress is severe.
False Imprisonment and Unlawful Restraint
False imprisonment and unlawful restraint involve restricting a person’s freedom without consent or legal justification, which means the defendant’s actions prevent the victim from leaving a place or situation. This type of claim often arises when a person is held against their will without proper authority.
How Intentional Torts Differ From Negligence Claims
Intentional torts differ from negligence claims because they involve deliberate actions rather than careless mistakes, which means the legal standards and outcomes may vary depending on the defendant's mental state.
Davidoff Law helps clients understand these differences and pursue the right legal action.
Intent vs. Carelessness
Intentional torts involve purposeful acts, while negligence involves failure to use reasonable care. This means the defendant’s mental state is a key difference, because intentional conduct is done on purpose, unlike accidents caused by careless behavior.
Burden of Proof Differences
Intentional torts require proof of intent, while negligence focuses on careless behavior. In both cases, the plaintiff must present evidence, but intentional tort claims require showing that the act was done knowingly or deliberately.
Impact on Damages and Liability
Intentional torts may result in more serious damages, including punitive damages, because the conduct is more egregious. This is because courts may award additional compensation to punish the defendant and discourage similar wrongful acts in the future.
Laws and Legal Standards in New York
New York law sets clear rules for intentional tort cases, which means courts apply specific standards to determine liability and damages in civil court. Davidoff Law uses these legal standards to build strong cases and protect your rights.
Civil Liability for Intentional Harm
A defendant can be held liable for intentional harm when their intentional act directly causes injury to another person, which means the plaintiff can recover compensation through a personal injury claim in civil court.
This applies when the defendant’s actions result in physical injuries, emotional distress, or property damage, and the goal is to provide financial recovery rather than criminal punishment.
Comparative Fault Rule
Under New York CPLR § 1411, damages may be reduced if the plaintiff is partially at fault. This means you can still recover compensation, but the amount will be adjusted based on your percentage of responsibility.
Statute of Limitations for Intentional Torts
Under New York CPLR § 215, intentional tort claims generally must be filed within one year. Missing this deadline can prevent you from filing a claim and recovering compensation for your losses.
What Damages Can Be Recovered in Intentional Tort Cases?
Intentional tort victims may recover compensation for losses caused by a wrongful act, which includes both financial and non-financial damages, depending on the case. These damages are meant to make the victim whole and hold the defendant accountable. Davidoff Law helps clients pursue full compensation.
A few of the damages may include:
- Medical expenses: Costs for treatment, hospital care, and recovery
- Lost wages: Income lost due to the inability to work
- Property damage: Costs to repair or replace damaged property
- Emotional distress: Compensation for mental suffering and emotional injuries
- Punitive damages: Additional damages meant to punish harmful conduct
If you are dealing with an intentional tort and want to recover compensation, call Davidoff Law at (929) 547-9564 today for a free consultation and get legal help now.
FAQs About Intentional Torts
An intentional tort is a wrongful act committed with the intent to cause harm to another person.
Yes, you can file a claim for intentional infliction of emotional distress if the conduct was extreme and caused serious harm.
You may recover medical bills, lost wages, and compensation for emotional distress and other losses.
The defendant’s conduct is important because it shows whether their intentional act caused harm or hurt, which helps prove liability in your personal injury claim.
Yes, unauthorized use of property and defamation, which involves false statements that harm your reputation, can both support a claim if they caused damage or hurt.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Personal Injury Lawyer at Davidoff Law Today
If you are an intentional tort victim in New York and need help with your personal injury claim, Davidoff Law is ready to help you with experienced legal representation, a strong case strategy, and support through every step of the process.
Call (929) 547-9564 today for a free consultation and speak with our legal team about your rights, your case, and how to recover the compensation you deserve.
Ruben Davidoff, founder of Davidoff Law, established his practice in 2012 after moving to Queens in 1988 and beginning his legal career in 1997. Admitted in NY State and the US District Court for the Eastern District of NY, he has extensive experience in personal injury, handling various cases like airline crashes, auto accidents, and slip/trip and fall cases. Mr. Davidoff provides personalized attention, recovering millions for clients through settlements or verdicts, leveraging decades of experience.
