What type of tort involves failure to act in a prudent manner?

Negligence is defined as a type of tort that arises from a failure to exercise the standard of care that a reasonably prudent person would have exercised in a similar situation. This concept is rooted in the idea that individuals have a duty to act in a way that does not cause harm to others. When someone breaches this duty by failing to act or by acting carelessly, resulting in injury or damage, they can be held liable for negligence.

In contrast, intentional torts occur when an individual deliberately causes harm to another person, such as in cases of assault or theft. Strict liability torts typically do not depend on the level of care taken, but rather on the nature of the activity involved; for example, engaging in inherently dangerous activities may lead to liability regardless of precautions taken. Contractual torts, also known as tortious interference or breach of contract, involve violations of contractual obligations rather than the failure to act prudently.

Thus, negligence specifically focuses on failures in action or judgment, making it the correct answer to the question regarding the type of tort that involves failure to act in a prudent manner.