A willful act that violates another person's rights or property is called what?

A willful act that violates another person's rights or property is called what?

• A. Negligence
• B. Nonfeasance
• C. Malpractice
• D. Intentional Tort

Answer: (D)

Understanding torts begins with the idea of a civil wrong caused by a deliberate act that infringes someone’s rights or property. This scenario fits an intentional tort, where the person consciously acts to cause harm or to violate another’s rights. In healthcare, this includes actions like battery (unwanted touching), assault (threat of harm), false imprisonment, or invading a patient’s privacy—each driven by the intent to cause harm or violation. This differs from negligence, which is about harming someone through carelessness or a failure to act with reasonable care, and is not intentional. Nonfeasance is failing to act when there is a duty to do so, which is also not about a deliberate harm. Malpractice refers to professional negligence—not meeting the standard of care—typically framed as carelessness rather than purposeful wrongdoing. So the term that captures a willful act violating rights or property is an intentional tort.

Understanding torts begins with the idea of a civil wrong caused by a deliberate act that infringes someone’s rights or property. This scenario fits an intentional tort, where the person consciously acts to cause harm or to violate another’s rights. In healthcare, this includes actions like battery (unwanted touching), assault (threat of harm), false imprisonment, or invading a patient’s privacy—each driven by the intent to cause harm or violation.

This differs from negligence, which is about harming someone through carelessness or a failure to act with reasonable care, and is not intentional. Nonfeasance is failing to act when there is a duty to do so, which is also not about a deliberate harm. Malpractice refers to professional negligence—not meeting the standard of care—typically framed as carelessness rather than purposeful wrongdoing. So the term that captures a willful act violating rights or property is an intentional tort.