Intentional Torts: A Comprehensive Guide for Business Law and Regulations

Question 1

Battery differs from assault primarily in that:

Accepted Answer

It requires actual physical contact.

Answer

It requires a specific intent to harm.

Answer

It does not require a reasonable apprehension of harm.

Answer

It is only a crime if it results in serious bodily injury.

Question 2

Which type of damages aims to compensate the victim for their pain and suffering?

Accepted Answer

Compensatory damages

Answer

Nominal damages

Answer

Punitive damages

Answer

Mitigation damages

Question 3

Libel is a form of defamation that is:

Accepted Answer

Communicated in writing or other permanent form.

Answer

Communicated verbally.

Answer

Only actionable if it causes actual harm.

Answer

Protected by the First Amendment.

Question 4

In the context of battery, which of the following is NOT a valid defense?

Accepted Answer

Statute of limitations expired

Answer

Consent

Answer

Self-defense

Answer

Necessity

Question 5

Which type of intentional tort involves the unlawful restriction of a person's freedom of movement?

Accepted Answer

False imprisonment

Answer

Assault

Answer

Battery

Answer

Trespass to chattels

Question 6

In a business setting, which of the following actions would most likely constitute the tort of conversion?

Accepted Answer

Selling a company's inventory without authorization

Answer

Using a company vehicle for personal errands

Answer

Refusing to return a borrowed laptop

Answer

Damaging a customer's property

Question 7

Which of the following is a key distinction between assault and battery?

Accepted Answer

Assault involves the threat of harm, while battery involves actual harm.

Answer

Battery requires intent to cause harm, while assault does not.

Answer

Assault can only be committed against a person, while battery can also be committed against property.

Answer

There is no meaningful distinction between assault and battery.

Question 8

Which of the following factors would NOT be considered when determining the severity of an intentional tort?

Accepted Answer

The defendant's financial situation

Answer

The nature and extent of the harm caused

Answer

The defendant's motives

Answer

The victim's age

Question 9

True or False: Assault requires actual physical contact with the plaintiff.

Accepted Answer

False

Answer

True

Question 10

What is the critical distinction between defamation and slander?

Accepted Answer

Defamation is written, while slander is spoken.

Answer

Slander is more serious than defamation.

Answer

There is no distinction between defamation and slander.

Answer

Defamation requires malice, while slander does not.

Question 11

Which of the following is not considered an intentional tort?

Accepted Answer

Breach of contract

Answer

Libel

Answer

Trespass

Answer

Assault

Question 12

What is the primary purpose of the tort of conversion?

Accepted Answer

To provide compensation for the unauthorized taking or withholding of personal property

Answer

To punish the defendant for damaging property

Answer

To deter future intentional torts

Answer

To protect intangible property rights

Question 13

What is the primary function of punitive damages in intentional tort cases?

Accepted Answer

To punish the defendant and discourage similar behavior

Answer

To compensate the plaintiff for actual losses

Answer

To cover the plaintiff's legal fees

Answer

To provide restitution to the victim

Question 14

Intentional torts are distinguished from negligence-based torts primarily because intentional torts require:

Accepted Answer

Intent to cause harm

Answer

Lack of foreseeability of harm

Answer

Causation in fact

Answer

Proximate cause

Question 15

Which of the following is an essential element of assault?

Accepted Answer

Reasonable apprehension of harm

Answer

Intentional act

Answer

Actual physical contact

Answer

Damages

Question 16

Which of the following is not a valid defense to defamation?

Accepted Answer

Comparative negligence

Answer

Truth

Answer

Privilege

Answer

Consent

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT an essential element of assault?

Accepted Answer

Actual physical contact

Answer

Intent to cause harm

Answer

Reasonable apprehension of imminent harm

Answer

Imminent threat of harm

Question 18

What is the primary distinction between slander and libel?

Accepted Answer

Slander is spoken defamation while libel is written defamation

Answer

Libel is spoken defamation while slander is written defamation

Answer

Both slander and libel are considered written defamation

Answer

Neither slander nor libel are considered defamation

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT a recognized privileged communication that may be a defense to defamation?

Accepted Answer

Fair use

Answer

Absolute privilege

Answer

Qualified privilege

Answer

Conditional privilege

Question 20

In intentional tort cases, which factor is NOT relevant to the calculation of punitive damages?

Accepted Answer

The amount of actual damages suffered by the plaintiff

Answer

The degree of the defendant's reprehensible conduct

Answer

The defendant's net worth

Answer

Public policy considerations

Question 21

Which type of tort involves publishing false and harmful statements about another person?

Accepted Answer

Defamation

Answer

Assault

Answer

Battery

Answer

Trespass to chattels

Question 22

The primary defense to a claim of intentional infliction of emotional distress is:

Accepted Answer

Privilege

Answer

Consent

Answer

Statute of limitations

Answer

Lack of intent

Question 23

Which of the following is an example of a privileged communication?

Accepted Answer

A confidential conversation between a lawyer and client

Answer

A public speech by a politician

Answer

A defamatory statement made in a court of law

Answer

A false statement made in a job interview

Question 24

True or False: Intent can be inferred from a person's conduct.

Accepted Answer

True

Answer

False

Question 25

Can false imprisonment occur even if the person is not physically restrained?

Accepted Answer

Yes

Answer

No

Question 26

Which of the following is NOT an essential element of assault?

Accepted Answer

Physical contact

Answer

Intent to cause apprehension of imminent harm

Answer

Reasonable apprehension of imminent harm

Answer

Causation

Question 27

In the context of battery, which of the following qualifies as 'harm'?

Accepted Answer

Physical pain

Answer

Emotional distress

Answer

Economic loss

Answer

Intentional act

Question 28

Which of the following is NOT considered a valid defense in intentional tort cases?

Accepted Answer

Contributory negligence

Answer

Consent

Answer

Self-defense

Answer

Statute of limitations

Question 29

What is the required mental state, or mens rea, for an individual to be held liable for intentional torts?

Accepted Answer

Intentional

Answer

Reckless

Answer

Negligent

Answer

Gross negligence

Question 30

Which tort specifically addresses and provides protection against the intentional infliction of emotional distress?

Accepted Answer

Intentional infliction of emotional distress

Answer

Assault

Answer

Battery

Answer

Trespass to chattels

Question 31

Which element is essential to establish the tort of assault?

Accepted Answer

Intent to cause apprehension of imminent harmful or offensive contact

Answer

Actual physical harm

Answer

Damages resulting from the contact

Answer

Physical contact made with the victim

Question 32

Which intentional tort involves the unlawful confinement or restriction of a person's liberty?

Accepted Answer

False imprisonment

Answer

Assault

Answer

Battery

Answer

Trespass

Question 33

What is the intent requirement for defamation?

Accepted Answer

Intentional publication of a false statement

Answer

Negligent publication of a false statement

Answer

Reckless publication of a false statement

Answer

Publication of a false statement regardless of intent

Question 34

Which of the following is NOT a valid defense to defamation?

Accepted Answer

Statute of frauds

Answer

Truth

Answer

Privilege

Answer

Consent

Question 35

What is the primary distinction between slander and libel?

Accepted Answer

Slander is spoken defamation while libel is written defamation

Answer

Slander requires proof of damages while libel does not

Answer

Libel is considered a more serious offense than slander

Answer

There is no substantial difference between slander and libel

Question 36

Which of the following is an example of an intentional tort that can arise commonly in business settings?

Accepted Answer

Wrongful termination

Answer

Product liability

Answer

Contributory negligence

Answer

Breach of contract

Question 37

Which of the following actions **increases** a business's exposure to intentional tort liability?

Accepted Answer

Ignoring customer complaints and concerns

Answer

Conducting thorough employee background checks

Answer

Providing adequate security measures for employees and customers

Answer

Training employees on appropriate behavior and customer service

Question 38

In a battery case, what must the plaintiff prove to establish liability?

Accepted Answer

Intentional, harmful or offensive physical contact

Answer

Negligence

Answer

Malice

Question 39

What is the primary distinction between slander and libel?

Accepted Answer

Slander is spoken defamation, whereas libel is written or published defamation.

Answer

Libel is a more serious offense than slander.

Answer

Slander requires actual damages, while libel does not.

Question 40

What is the primary purpose of compensatory damages in intentional tort cases?

Accepted Answer

To compensate the victim for their losses

Answer

To punish the defendant

Answer

To cover the victim's legal expenses

Answer

To deter future torts

Question 41

When are punitive damages awarded in intentional tort cases?

Accepted Answer

To punish the defendant for egregious conduct and deter future torts

Answer

When the victim has suffered severe emotional distress

Answer

When the defendant is wealthy

Question 42

In the tort of battery, the defendant must intend to cause:

Accepted Answer

Harmful or offensive contact

Answer

Falsely imprison the plaintiff

Answer

Defame the plaintiff's reputation

Answer

Threaten imminent harm

Question 43

The publication of a false statement that harms a person's reputation is called:

Accepted Answer

Defamation

Answer

Assault

Answer

False imprisonment

Answer

Battery

Question 44

In order to prove negligence per se, the plaintiff must show that the defendant violated a(n):

Accepted Answer

Statute or regulation

Answer

Duty of care

Answer

Ethical code

Answer

Unwritten law

Question 45

Which of the following is NOT an element of the intentional tort of assault?

Accepted Answer

Physical harm

Answer

Reasonable apprehension of harm

Answer

Intent to cause fear

Answer

Threat of imminent harm

Question 46

The purpose of punitive damages is to:

Accepted Answer

Punish the defendant and deter similar conduct

Answer

Cover the defendant's legal expenses

Answer

Reward the plaintiff for bringing the lawsuit

Answer

Compensate the plaintiff for their losses

Question 47

Which of the following elements is NOT required to establish the tort of battery?

Accepted Answer

The plaintiff suffered emotional distress.

Answer

The defendant's act caused harmful or offensive contact.

Answer

The defendant intentionally acted.

Answer

The contact was with the plaintiff's person.

Question 48

A store owner suspects a customer of shoplifting. The owner detains the customer for an hour while waiting for the police to arrive. The customer is later found to have not stolen anything.  Which tort is most likely to have been committed?

Accepted Answer

False Imprisonment

Answer

Trespass to Chattels

Answer

Defamation

Answer

Assault

Question 49

Which of the following is NOT a defense to a defamation claim?

Accepted Answer

The statement was made in anger.

Answer

The statement was made to a small group of people.

Answer

The statement was true.

Question 50

A company publishes a false statement about a competitor's product, causing the competitor to lose sales.  What tort has the company likely committed?

Accepted Answer

Disparagement

Answer

Trespass to Chattels

Answer

Assault

Answer

False Imprisonment

Question 51

A salesperson makes a false statement about a product's features to induce a customer to buy it. The customer later discovers the truth and sues the salesperson. What tort might be involved in this case?

Accepted Answer

Fraudulent Misrepresentation

Answer

Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress

Answer

Battery

Answer

Trespass to Land

Question 52

Which of the following is an example of intentional infliction of emotional distress?

Accepted Answer

A landlord repeatedly harasses a tenant with threats and insults, causing the tenant significant emotional distress.

Answer

A driver accidentally bumps into another car.

Question 53

A company mistakenly sends a letter containing confidential information to a competitor.  This act could be considered a tort of:

Accepted Answer

Invasion of Privacy

Answer

Defamation

Answer

Trespass to Chattels

Answer

Assault

Question 54

What is the primary difference between assault and battery?

Accepted Answer

Assault involves the apprehension of harmful contact, while battery involves actual contact.

Answer

Assault requires physical injury, while battery does not.

Answer

Assault is a criminal offense, while battery is a civil offense.

Question 55

A person enters another person's property without permission. This action could be considered a tort of:

Accepted Answer

Trespass to Land

Answer

False Imprisonment

Answer

Trespass to Chattels

Answer

Disparagement

Question 56

A student publishes a false statement about a professor online, causing the professor reputational harm. Which of the following intentional torts is most likely involved?

Accepted Answer

Defamation

Answer

Trespass to Chattels

Answer

Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress

Answer

Assault