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Types of Intentional Tort Personal Injury Cases

While “tort” may sound like some new internet or texting slang, it is actually a legal term for wrongful acts that lead to personal harm for another person. There are both accidental and intentional torts, which differentiates a tort based on the intent and mental state of the person inflicting harm. Here are a few of the more common intentional torts in personal injury cases:

Battery

While most think of battery as simply hitting somebody else, it actually covers a wide range of activities. This includes hitting somebody with a projectile or object, including throwing a dangerous object at someone or shooting at them with a gun.

Assault

Assault is a lesser form of battery, in which the threat of bodily harm and violence is used but no actual battery takes place. Assault can also include attempting to hit somebody but not succeeding.

False Imprisonment Without Legal Authority

It is against the law to hold somebody against their will. This includes locking them in a room, tieing them to a chair or other object, or simply holding them down forcefully. There is two main exception to this, which is when the police detain a potential suspect and when a shop owner or employee holds a suspected theft until authorities can arrive.

Purposely Inflicting Emotional Distress

Emotions are volatile and different for each individual, so it can be quite difficult to prove somebody was purposely inflicting emotional distress. However, if someone purposefully attempts to terrify or emotionally damage an individual with extreme behavior, they can be found guilty of this tort.

Fraud

Fraud is when a lie is told to someone else with the intent of causing the person emotional or physical harm. The onus is on a personal injury lawyer to prove that the person telling the lie was aware they were not telling the truth and that the lie caused harm to the other party.

Defamation

Defamation is when a lie is purposefully told about someone else and the lie causes harm. Defamation is different from fraud, in that fraud is told directly to the harmed party while defamation is a lie told about somebody else. Defamation can occur in written form, called libel, or spoken words, called slander.

Invasion of Privacy

People have the right to be left alone and not have others peering into their personal affairs. If someone violates that right to privacy and this violation causes harm, they are invading that person's privacy. This can include identity theft or shedding light on someone else's secrets for personal gain.

Trespassing

You are not permitted to use another person’s property without their permission, and doing so is trespassing.

Conversion

This is a nice way of saying stealing, in that it refers to “converting” someone else's property or possessions to their own.

Contact a Tort Personal Injury Lawyer in San Diego Today

Bates Law is the top personal injury law firm in San Diego. Our team is intimately familiar with all of the different types of torts and have experience getting results for our clients in lawsuits. If you feel someone else has caused you harm, give us a call at (619) 222-0900 to schedule a free consultation.

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