Paralegal Certification PrepTorts and Property LawMedium
A disgruntled employee, after being fired, accesses their former employer's computer system without authorization and deletes several important project files. The employer seeks legal recourse for the loss of data and business disruption. Which intentional tort is most applicable to the employee's actions?
- ATrespass to chattels
- BDefamation
- CAssault
- DFalse imprisonment
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Trespass to chattels
Trespass to chattels involves intentionally interfering with another's personal property (chattels) in a way that deprives them of its use or value. Deleting files on a computer system constitutes such interference.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Defamation involves false statements harming reputation, not the destruction of data.
- C. Assault is the threat of immediate harmful or offensive contact, not applicable to data deletion.
- D. False imprisonment is the unlawful restraint of a person's movement, which is irrelevant here.
Trespass to Chattels
An intentional tort that occurs when an individual intentionally interferes with another's personal property without permission, causing harm or deprivation of use.
- Requires intentional interference.
- Applies to personal property (chattels).
- Harm can be deprivation of use or diminished value.
Memory trick: Chattels Get Converted or Trespassed upon.