Physical Security Professional Certification Practice Exam

In legal terms, what constitutes a tort?

1. A contract violation

2. An intentional act causing harm

3. A negligence claim

4. A criminal offense

The correct answer is: An intentional act causing harm

A tort is defined as a civil wrong that causes harm or loss to another individual, for which the injured party may seek legal remedy. The essence of tort law is centered around providing relief to those who have suffered harm due to the wrongful acts of others and discouraging others from committing such acts. The correct choice, which refers to an intentional act causing harm, aligns with this definition as it encapsulates a significant category of torts known as intentional torts. These are actions performed with the intent to cause harm or distress, such as assault, battery, and defamation. In these cases, the focus is on the deliberate nature of the action and the resulting damage inflicted on the victim. The other options fall outside the definition of a tort. A contract violation pertains to breaches of agreements and is handled under contract law rather than tort law. A negligence claim does relate to torts, but it usually involves unintentional harm rather than intentional wrongdoing. Lastly, a criminal offense is a violation of laws enacted by a governmental body, which is entirely different from civil torts, as criminal law pertains to actions that threaten the safety of society as a whole and are prosecuted by the state.