Opinion ID: 2995134
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Intent to Cause or the High

Text: Probability of Distress The tort’s second element inquires as to whether the actor either intended that his conduct inflict severe emotional distress or knew that there was at least a high probability that his conduct would cause such distress. Courts have generally found this element to be satisfied either when a defendant’s actions, by their very nature, were likely to cause severe distress or when the defendant knew that a plaintiff was particularly susceptible to such distress and that, because of this susceptibility, the defendant’s actions were likely to cause it to occur./16 In this case, a jury might well conclude that the burning of Mr. Honaker’s house would bring with it the high probability of causing severe emotional distress to Mr. Honaker. Having the mayor of one’s town suggest that you leave or be burned out, followed by a fire that all but completely destroys your house, is likely to cause significant emotional trauma./17