Common Types of Intentional Torts
When someone’s careless behavior causes you harm, it typically falls under a legal concept known as negligence. But what if the harm was done on purpose? In such cases, personal injury law classifies these wrongful acts as intentional torts.
In this article, we’ll break down the most common types of intentional torts and explain how a personal injury attorney can help you hold the wrongdoer accountable and pursue the compensation you deserve.
What Is an Intentional Tort?
An intentional tort happens when someone deliberately commits an act that causes physical, emotional, or financial harm to another person. Unlike accidents, these actions are not mistakes or careless errors—they are purposeful. In Colorado, victims of intentional torts have the right to file civil lawsuits to recover compensation for their injuries, emotional distress, lost wages, and more.
Common Types of Intentional Torts
Below are some of the most common types of intentional torts:
Assault
Assault occurs when someone intentionally threatens or tries to harm you, making you fear for your immediate safety. Physical contact isn’t necessary for an assault to happen; the threat alone can be enough. If someone raises their fist and threatens to punch you, that could be considered assault, even if they never actually hit you.
If you’ve experienced a threatening situation that caused you fear, you may have grounds for an assault claim.
Battery
Battery is the act of physically striking or making harmful or offensive contact with another person intentionally. Unlike assault, battery requires physical contact.
If someone punches, kicks, or even spits on you, these are acts of battery. Victims of battery have the right to pursue civil claims for their injuries and emotional trauma.
False Imprisonment
False imprisonment happens when someone unlawfully restricts your freedom of movement. This can occur through physical barriers, threats, or even verbal commands that prevent you from leaving a location.
For example, a store security guard wrongfully detaining you for hours without cause could be considered false imprisonment. If you’ve been unlawfully held against your will, a personal injury attorney can help you understand your legal options.
Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (IIED)
IIED occurs when someone intentionally engages in extreme or outrageous behavior that causes severe emotional suffering. Repeated bullying, harassment, or threats that lead to anxiety, depression, or emotional breakdowns may qualify as IIED.
While emotional injuries can be harder to prove, they are just as serious as physical injuries, and victims deserve compensation.
Defamation (Libel and Slander)
Defamation involves damaging someone’s reputation by spreading false information.
- Libel refers to written defamation (e.g., false information published online or in newspapers).
- Slander refers to spoken defamation (e.g., false and harmful rumors spread verbally).
If someone falsely claims you committed a crime and shares this with others, harming your reputation, it could be grounds for a defamation lawsuit. Defamation can harm your personal and professional life. Colorado law allows you to recover damages for reputational harm.
Trespass to Land
Trespass to land happens when someone enters or remains on your property without permission. If a neighbor constantly walks through your backyard without your consent, that’s trespassing.
Property owners have the right to take legal action against trespassers to protect their rights and land.
Trespass to Personal Property
This occurs when someone intentionally interferes with your personal belongings without permission. If someone takes your car without asking, even for a short time, that’s considered trespass to personal property.
Your personal belongings are protected by law, and unauthorized use or damage can lead to a civil claim.
Conversion
Conversion happens when someone intentionally takes or controls your property in a way that denies you access to it permanently or for a significant time. If someone sells your personal property without your permission, it’s considered conversion.
Victims of conversion can seek the full value of their lost property through legal action.
What Kinds of Compensation Are Available to Intentional Tort Victims in Colorado?
If you’ve been the victim of an intentional tort, you may be able to recover damages such as:
- Medical Expenses
- Lost Wages
- Pain and Suffering
- Emotional Distress
- Property Damage
- Punitive Damages (to punish the wrongdoer)
Punitive damages are especially important in intentional tort cases. They are meant to deter the wrongdoer and others from committing similar harmful acts.
Intentional torts are serious matters that can affect your health, emotional well-being, reputation, and financial security. Whether you’ve suffered physical harm, emotional distress, or property damage, you don’t have to face these challenges alone.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After an Intentional Tort Injury in Colorado?
In Colorado, the statute of limitations sets strict deadlines for filing lawsuits related to intentional torts. Generally, you have two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury claim involving an intentional tort. This includes cases such as assault, battery, false imprisonment, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Standing Up Against Intentional Harm
If you believe you’ve been the victim of an intentional tort, don’t wait—seek professional legal help today. A qualified Colorado personal injury lawyer can help you understand your legal options and pursue justice. Contact one now for a free consultation.
Contact our Denver Personal Injury Attorneys at Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers at (720) 613 9706
For more information, please contact the Denver personal injury lawyers at Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation with a personal injury lawyer.
We are located in Denver, CO, and proudly serve all of Denver County.
Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers
1610 Wynkoop Street, Suite 120.
Denver, CO 80202
(720) 613 9706
Find us with our Geocoordinates: 39.75208145814397, -105.00017355026108
About The Author
Kurt Zaner has earned national recognition for his innovative legal strategies, securing some of the largest verdicts in Colorado. He assists injured clients in Denver with personal injury cases, including car accidents, truck accidents, wrongful death, motorcycle accidents, and more. Click here to view some of the fantastic case results that Zaner Law has successfully handled.
Location: Denver, CO
