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Inflicting Emotional Distress
By
David Day |
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A tort is an act or omission that causes injury or damage; an intentional
tort involves deliberate conduct that causes harm. One such intentional tort
occurs when a person inflicts emotional anguish upon another through extreme
and outrageous conduct. An example of such behavior would be the person who
could not accept being rejected by a dating partner. Instead of moving on with
his or her life, the rejected party may decide to make threats and display
other harassing behavior that causes the person who broke off the
relationship to fear going out in public. Psychological, and even physical,
reactions may result. If so, the threatened party may be the victim of
intentional infliction of emotional distress and can sue for damages.
Those who intentionally inflict emotional distress may also be subject to
criminal charges. Remember, you are responsible for the consequences of your conduct,
particularly when it is extreme or outrageous. If you want to be extreme or
outrageous, be prepared to back up your conduct with your wallet. |
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