What should a plaintiff demonstrate to hold the defendant liable for assault?

To hold the defendant liable for assault, the plaintiff must establish that they were aware of the defendant's acts that created an apprehension of imminent harmful or offensive contact. This means that the plaintiff must have knowledge of the defendant's actions that could lead to a battery, which is the intention to cause physical harm or offensive contact. The key element of assault is the plaintiff's anticipation of harm; if the defendant's actions cause the plaintiff to feel threatened or in danger of immediate harm, this constitutes assault.

Awareness or knowledge of the defendant's act is crucial because it triggers the defendant's liability. The plaintiff does not need to suffer any actual physical injury; rather, the focus is on the reasonable apprehension of harm created by the defendant's conduct. In this context, simply being aware of the threat does not equate to physical injury, thereby distinguishing assault from battery, which requires actual physical contact.

Other options do not capture the necessary elements for establishing assault. For example, knowledge of the defendant's intent to commit battery refers more to battery than to the anticipatory aspect essential in assault. Similarly, physical injury and evidence of harm towards another individual relate to other torts rather than to the specific nuances of assault itself.