Opinion ID: 703157
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Commonwealth Constitutional Claim

Text: 36 Rivera also challenges the dismissal of her claim for damages under P.R. Const. art. II, Secs. 1, 8. Section 1 provides that [t]he dignity of the human being is inviolable. Section 8 provides that [e]very person has the right to the protection of law against abusive attacks on his honor, reputation or family life. 9 Rivera essentially argues that the evidence that her co-workers harassed and insulted her was sufficient to demonstrate affronts to her dignity as a human being, in violation of her Section 1 rights. 37 The problem with Rivera's contention is fundamental: at no point prior to this appeal has she alleged that PRTC violated Section 1. In her amended complaint she stated that the court had jurisdiction over all claims arising out of violations to Section 8, Article II of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. (Emphasis added.) In the pretrial order, Rivera did not alter this designation, even when PRTC specifically characterized it as a Section 8 claim. Thus, it is clear that the district court simply dismissed the Section 8 claim for lack of proof, making no mention of any Section 1 claim. 10 Finally, on appeal Rivera does not appear to contest that she failed, as a matter of law, to prove her Section 8 claim since her co-worker's insults, based primarily on her physical handicap, were not probative of damage to her reputation or honor. 11