{"id":353534,"date":"2017-08-01T13:14:37","date_gmt":"2017-08-01T18:14:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/injury\/torts-and-personal-injuries\/trespass-to-chattels.html"},"modified":"2023-09-22T12:14:25","modified_gmt":"2023-09-22T17:14:25","slug":"trespass-to-chattels","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/torts-and-personal-injuries\/trespass-to-chattels.html","title":{"rendered":"Trespass to Chattels"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Trespass to Chattels<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Robert Rafii, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Robert Rafii, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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A trespass to chattels is an intentional interference with another person’s lawful possession of personal property. Sometimes, it can be the basis of a lawsuit.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Trespass to chattels refers to using property without permission from the property owner. In civil law, it falls under common law intentional torts. So, the property owner may have a valid trespass to chattels claim.<\/p>\n

In this article, learn about trespass to chattels and how it works in a personal injury case. For more specific advice, find a tort and injury lawyer<\/a> near you to review your case.<\/p>\n

Trespass to Chattels Is an Intentional Tort<\/h2>\n

Judges have created a body of rules called common law through written court opinions. This includes\u00a0tort<\/a>\u00a0law causes of action. These tort claims, which refer to wrongful actions that cause harm, fall under different categories. When a\u00a0tortfeasor<\/a>\u00a0(wrongdoer) engages in a purposeful act, they may commit an intentional tort.<\/p>\n

Under common law, there are different types of\u00a0intentional torts<\/a>, including:<\/p>\n