Which element is essential to establish battery?

• A. Contact with P's person that is harmful or offensive
• B. Intent to contact P
• C. Only a minor touch is required
• D. No contact is required if harm occurs

Answer: (A)

Battery is established when someone intentionally touches another person in a way that is harmful or offensive, without consent. The crucial element is the actual contact with the plaintiff’s body that is harmful or offensive to a reasonable person. Intent to contact is part of the act, but without the contact itself the tort isn’t satisfied. A mere minor touch isn’t automatically battery unless it is harmful or offensive; harm alone doesn’t create battery without contact. And harm doesn’t substitute for contact—there must be a touching event.