Which tort is committed when a person intentionally makes physical contact with another that is harmful or offensive without justification?

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

Answer: (A)

Battery is the intentional tort of harmful or offensive contact with another person. It requires that the person act with the intent to make contact, and that the contact itself is harmful or offensive and occurs without the other person’s consent or justification. The described situation fits because there is intentional physical contact that a reasonable person would find harmful or offensive, with no justification. Assault, on the other hand, is about causing apprehension of imminent harmful or offensive contact, not actual contact. False imprisonment involves unlawful confinement, and intentional infliction of emotional distress focuses on extreme, outrageous conduct causing severe emotional distress, not on physical contact. Therefore, Battery is the correct answer.