Which term describes acts that cause harm or distress without the intent to do so?

Which term describes acts that cause harm or distress without the intent to do so?

• A. Intentional tort
• B. Negligence
• C. Criminal act
• D. Quasi-intentional tort

Answer: (C)

Harm or distress caused without intent is negligence. Negligence happens when a caregiver or person fails to act with the care that a reasonably prudent person would in similar circumstances, and that failure leads to harm. The key factor is the absence of intent—the person did not mean to hurt anyone, but the standard of care was not met. In tort law, this is distinct from intentional torts, where the harm is the result of a deliberate act, and from criminal acts, which are offenses against the state and involve punishment beyond civil liability. Quasi-intentional torts are a separate category and don’t fit the unintentional-harm idea as cleanly as negligence does. So the term that best fits acts causing harm without the intent to do so is negligence.

Harm or distress caused without intent is negligence. Negligence happens when a caregiver or person fails to act with the care that a reasonably prudent person would in similar circumstances, and that failure leads to harm. The key factor is the absence of intent—the person did not mean to hurt anyone, but the standard of care was not met. In tort law, this is distinct from intentional torts, where the harm is the result of a deliberate act, and from criminal acts, which are offenses against the state and involve punishment beyond civil liability. Quasi-intentional torts are a separate category and don’t fit the unintentional-harm idea as cleanly as negligence does. So the term that best fits acts causing harm without the intent to do so is negligence.