Intent

Intentional torts are just that. A victim is wronged intentionally. In a negligence case, the damages results from a failure to use ordinary care; the injury was not intended. In the products liability case, the damages result from manufacturing or design error, but again the manufacturer does not intend to harm its customer. Intentional torts, such as battery, slander, conversion or trespass involve some higher level of intent that mere negligence. Here is the essence of some of the common law intentional torts.

Conversion. The defendant intentionally took personal property (that is any property other than real estate), or wrongfully refused to return it. John took Mary's purse.

Trespass. The defendant intentionally entered the plaintiff's real property (land or buildings), or intentionally damaged that real estate. The power company cut down the farmer's tree line.

Defamation. The defendant intentionally and untruthfully damaged the reputation of another, without privilege. The newspaper wrote that Mr. Johnson was a crook.

Battery. The defendant intentionally, and without reasonable cause, physically attacks the plaintiff. Mary hit Sam over the head with a baseball bat.

Fraud. The defendant intentionally misrepresented a fact (or pretended to know a fact which he did not know); the plaintiff reasonably relied on that representation to his detriment. A boat dealer sold a boat with a used motor, telling the customer that the motor was new.

Statutory remedies for intentional acts. Many statutes provide remedies for intentional harms. Civil rights statutes provide remedies for intentional discrimination. Consumer fraud statutes provide remedies for unlawful trade practices. The federal RICCO statute provides remedies for victims of conspiratorial intentional conduct.