Which term describes an unintentional act leading to harm?

The term that describes an unintentional act leading to harm is negligence. Negligence occurs when a person fails to take reasonable care in a situation, resulting in unintended harm to another individual. In the context of physical therapy, negligence may arise if a technician does not adhere to established protocols or standards of care, leading to an injury to a patient.

This concept is foundational in both medical and legal settings, as it establishes a duty of care that professionals owe to their clients. The focus on "unintentional" is crucial; negligence does not involve intent to cause harm but rather a failure to act as a reasonable person would in a similar circumstance.

The other terms fall into different categories: malpractice refers to professional negligence within a medical context that directly harms a patient due to a breach of standard care; intentional tort involves actions taken deliberately to cause harm, such as assault; and defamation pertains to false statements that damage someone's reputation. Each of these defines a specific type of wrongdoing that does not capture the essence of unintentional harm.