{"id":353536,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:01","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/injury\/torts-and-personal-injuries\/what-are-intentional-torts.html"},"modified":"2023-10-02T10:21:22","modified_gmt":"2023-10-02T15:21:22","slug":"what-are-intentional-torts","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/torts-and-personal-injuries\/what-are-intentional-torts.html","title":{"rendered":"What Are Intentional Torts?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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What Are Intentional Torts?<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By FindLaw Staff<\/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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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Intentional torts are wrongful civil acts done on purpose. Many types of intentional torts can be grounds for a lawsuit.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The wrongdoer (tortfeasor) does not need to mean harm. But someone else may end up hurt anyway, such as in a prank. Or, the person can mean harm, such as in domestic violence situations. Both types of cases are examples of intentional torts.<\/p>\n

Intentional torts typically warrant guidance from an attorney, such as a personal injury lawyer<\/a>. Cases involving injuries, privacy, emotional distress, and other wrongdoings can be complicated. Learn more about the legal definition of an intentional tort and examples below.<\/p>\n

What Is a Tort?<\/h2>\n

A\u00a0tort<\/a>\u00a0is a wrongful act that causes harm to someone else. This definition covers a wide range of actions, and common law tort cases are split into many subcategories. In common law, or the body of law that has evolved through court precedent, the three main types of torts are:<\/p>\n