Which of the following is an example of an intentional tort?

An intentional tort occurs when a person deliberately engages in conduct that causes harm to another person or their property. The essence of intentional torts lies in the intent to perform the act that leads to the injury or damage.

The act of purposefully hitting another person exemplifies an intentional tort because it involves a conscious choice to engage in physical aggression that directly results in harm to the victim. This choice indicates clear intent, as the person knows that their action will likely result in injury or harm.

In contrast, the other scenarios involve negligence or accidents, where there is no intention to cause harm. Negligently causing an accident suggests a failure to exercise reasonable care but does not involve a deliberate action. Filing a false police report does entail malicious intent; however, it is more accurately categorized as a form of fraud or misconduct rather than a direct physical harm like assault. Accidentally causing property damage clearly indicates a lack of intent, as it results from an unintentional act rather than a purposeful one.

Thus, the act of intentionally hitting another person stands out as a clear example of an intentional tort, embodying the concept of deliberate wrongdoing in tort law.