Why File an Intentional Tort Claim?
You could have grounds for an intentional tort claim if you or a member of your family has been injured by harmful actions such as: • Assault • Domestic violence • Deliberately reckless behavior (dangerous driving, etc) • Defamation (damaging someone’s reputation with untrue claims) • Intentional infliction of emotional distress Many intentional torts are also criminal acts. If the person responsible for your injuries has already been tried in a criminal court, you still have the option of filing a civil suit against him or her. People choose to pursue civil suits for many reasons, including: • A lower burden of proof. Civil claims only require a “preponderance of the evidence,” as opposed to proving the defendant’s guilt “beyond a reasonable doubt.” When there is not enough evidence to convict a party in criminal court, victims sometimes use civil courts to continue seeking justice. • Compensation for injuries. Assault and other crimes can leave victims with reduced earning capacities
