What is a quasi-intentional tort accomplished by a written defamatory statement?

A quasi-intentional tort is a category of torts that involves a breach of duty that results in harm to another person, often related to issues of personal dignity and reputation. In the context of this question, a written defamatory statement specifically refers to libel.

Libel occurs when false statements are made in a written format that damage a person’s reputation. Unlike slander, which pertains to spoken defamatory statements, libel is concerned with the permanence associated with written words. This type of tort requires that the statement be made with a certain level of fault, such as negligence or actual malice, and it must also be proven that the statement caused harm to the plaintiff's reputation.

In contrast, false light refers to a situation where an individual is portrayed in a misleading manner, slander pertains to harm caused by spoken words, and invasion of privacy involves trespassing into someone's personal space or private affairs. Therefore, recognizing that a written defamatory statement constitutes libel solidifies the understanding of what quasi-intentional torts encompass in legal contexts regarding reputation.