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

Negligence is classified as an unintentional tort because it involves a failure to exercise the level of care that, under the circumstances, a reasonably prudent person would have exercised. This lack of care results in harm or injury to another party. Unintentional torts typically arise from a failure to act as required by law or established standards of care, rather than from direct intent to cause harm, which is characteristic of intentional torts such as assault and battery.

In the case of negligence, the focus is on the actions (or inactions) of the defendant and whether those actions fell short of what is accepted in the community as responsible behavior. A classic example of negligence could be a healthcare provider failing to follow standard medical procedures, resulting in a patient's injury.

The other terms mentioned—assault, battery, and libel—are categorized as intentional torts, as they involve deliberate actions taken with the intent to cause harm or to instill fear of harm in another individual. Recognizing the distinction between intentional and unintentional torts is essential in understanding legal principles surrounding liability and responsible practice in healthcare settings.