An intentional act causing mental anguish that results in physical injury describes which tort?

• A. Negligent infliction of emotional distress
• B. Intentional infliction of emotional distress
• C. Battery
• D. Assault

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is intentional infliction of emotional distress. When someone commits an intentional or reckless act that is extreme and outrageous, and that act causes the victim to suffer severe emotional distress (often described as mental anguish), that victim has a claim for IIED. Physical injury is not required for this tort—the distress itself can be the harm, though physical symptoms can accompany it. The description specifies an intentional act that produces mental anguish, which fits IIED rather than the other torts. Battery and assault involve contact or threats of contact, not purely emotional distress, and negligent infliction of emotional distress requires negligence rather than intent.