What does assault imply in tort law?

In tort law, assault is defined as an act that creates an immediate apprehension of harmful or offensive contact in another person. It does not require actual physical contact to occur; rather, it is the threat or intention behind the action that induces fear or apprehension in the victim. This psychological component is crucial because it distinguishes assault from related concepts such as battery, where physical contact is necessary.

The concept of immediate apprehension means that the victim must have a reasonable belief that they are about to face harm, creating a sense of imminent danger. This is why the option relating to immediate apprehension of harm captures the essence of what assault entails in the legal context.

Other options, while related to the broader context of personal injury law, do not accurately encapsulate the definition of assault. For example, physical injury and actual physical contact pertain more to battery. Invasion of privacy, though a tort, has its own distinct definition separate from assault and is concerned with privacy rights rather than physical threats or harm.