An intentional tortious act means that defendant acted deliberately and intended to commit the action which resulted in plaintiff’s harm. This does not always mean that the defendant actually intended to harm the plaintiff. For example, if a defendant intentionally takes plaintiff’s wallet, believing that it is his own, he may be liable for conversion even though he did not think he was taking another person’s property.
If a defendant intentionally strikes another person or touches a person in an offensive way, he may be liable for battery, even if he thought plaintiff would not mind. He should have known that this intentional action would be harmful or offensive.
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