What is the Difference between Negligence and Intentional Torts?

Negligence and intentional torts are both civil wrongs and can both lead to the offender being held liable for the damages caused. However, the two types of wrongs have distinct differences. Negligence is a failure to use reasonable care in a particular situation, resulting in injury to another person. Liability is only imposed if the plaintiff can prove that the defendant owed a duty of care toward the plaintiff and breached that duty. In Colorado, a careless act that results in injury can be considered negligent. Intentional torts, on the other hand, involve a deliberate action on the part of the defendant that causes harm to the plaintiff. Unlike negligence, there is no need to prove a duty of care. For an intentional tort to be successful, the plaintiff must prove that the defendant had the intent to commit the harm and that the defendant actually caused the harm. Examples of intentional torts in Colorado include assault and battery, false imprisonment or trespass. To sum up, the key difference between negligence and intentional torts is that negligence involves a lack of care while intentional torts involves a deliberate action on the part of the defendant. In Colorado, both types of wrongs can result in the defendant being held liable for the damages.

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