Is Grabbing Someone by the Arm Assault?

A hand closing around your arm in a tense conversation. Someone yanking your wrist to stop you from walking away. A firm grip on the arm to pull you closer, when you want to be further away. What if that unwanted physical contact leaves you rattled, or worse, injured? Can these kinds of incidents have legal consequences?

The law doesn’t always measure harm in bruises or broken bones; sometimes, it measures it in boundaries crossed. The legal line between casual contact and assault isn’t just about intent—it’s about consent.

So, is grabbing someone by the arm assault? In many cases, yes. It can be. And if you were harmed—physically or emotionally—you may have grounds for a lawsuit. Not just because it happened, but because it happened without your permission.

In Ontario, you can pursue compensation through a civil lawsuit even if criminal charges were never laid. The government’s guide to civil claims offers a practical overview of the process. But if you’re thinking of taking legal action, what you really need is a sharp legal strategy, guided by a veteran assault lawyer.

Not every incident leads to a courtroom under the Criminal Code, but that doesn’t mean there are no consequences. Civil law provides a separate—and often more accessible—avenue for justice. If someone grabbed your arm without consent and that contact left you with pain, anxiety, or any lasting impact, you may be entitled to financial compensation. 

The damages available through a civil lawsuit address the full scope of what you’ve endured. That includes compensation for medical treatment, therapy, and lost income. It can also include damages for emotional distress and disruption to your daily life. Pursuing a claim is about more than just money—it’s about accountability, acknowledgment, and getting the closure you need to move forward.

Under the Criminal Code, assault is broadly defined. You don’t have to throw a punch. You don’t need to cause serious bodily harm. 

Legally, an assault occurs when someone directly—or indirectly—applies force to another person without that person’s consent. Assault charges can stem from acts like pushing, slapping, and yes, grabbing someone by the arm. Even the threat of force can count, if it causes someone to believe they’re about to be harmed.

This includes both minor incidents and more serious ones. And while the criminal system classifies them—domestic assault, aggravated assault, sexual assault, and so on—the civil system focuses less on labels and more on impact.

It depends on the context—and whether the other person’s consent was present. For example:

• Reaching out to steady someone who’s about to fall? Probably not assault.

• Grabbing someone mid-argument to stop them from walking away? Much more likely.

If the contact was aggressive, unwanted, or caused injury, the courts may view it as a clear intentional application of force. And in that case, yes—it would meet the legal threshold for assault.

In domestic cases, even small gestures can take on a different legal character. Grabbing a spouse or partner in anger, frustration, or control—even briefly—can form the basis of both criminal charges and a civil claim.

This is where the civil legal system comes into its own.

You don’t need a police report. You don’t need a court date in criminal court. You don’t need the Crown attorney to press charges.

What you do need is a claim that can be substantiated—through testimony, medical records, and any other evidence that shows how the contact affected you. The bar in civil court is lower than in criminal court. You only need to prove your version is more likely than not.

Defendants often argue they were provoked—or acting in self-defence. Civil courts look closely at context.

Did the person who grabbed your arm do so to stop a physical altercation? Or were they the one escalating things? Did you react defensively, or were you trying to walk away?

When we take on a case, we examine the full picture. Including your intent—and theirs.

Yes. The law doesn’t require serious injury or hospitalization. It requires non-consensual contact that caused harm—even if that harm isn’t visible.

Your pain is real. Your experience is valid. And often, it’s enough.

Absolutely. You can pursue both criminal and civil actions. But they are separate tracks.

Criminal law is about punishment. Civil law is about compensation—and about giving control back to the victim. Even if one track stalls, the other may move forward.

At DWA Law, we handle assault cases from a civil perspective. Our focus is helping people who’ve experienced harm navigate legal proceedings with confidence, clarity, and compassion.

Whether you were hurt by a partner, a stranger, or someone in a position of trust, we can help you assess whether a claim is worth pursuing. 

If you’re ready to speak to a personal injury lawyer who gets it—and who knows how to turn your story into a strong, evidence-based claim—we’re here.