Opinion ID: 680026
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: State Claims for Intentional and Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress

Text: 50 A. Preemption. The defendants argue that Maynard's state claims for intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress are preempted by California's Workers' Compensation Act. Preemption is a question of law reviewed de novo. Holman v. Laulo-Rowe Agency, 994 F.2d 666, 668 (9th Cir.1993). 51 The Workers' Compensation Act does not preempt Maynard's claims. Personal injury claims that implicate fundamental public policy considerations are not preempted by the Workers' Compensation Act. Gantt v. Sentry Ins., 1 Cal.4th 1083, 4 Cal.Rptr.2d 874, 875-76, 886, 824 P.2d 680, 681-82, 692 (1992). Gantt involved a wrongful discharge action, and the California supreme court carefully avoided setting the exact parameters of the public policy exception as to all types of claims. Id. at 881-82, 824 P.2d at 687-88. Yet the court did hold that a public policy is fundamental if it has a basis in constitutional or statutory provisions. Id. 52 In contrast to Maynard's federal civil rights claims, the district court submitted to the jury Maynard's state law claims for intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress claims based on alleged retaliation for Maynard's assistance of a Black person and for his reporting of perceived irregularities in the purchase of communications equipment. Maynard's claims arise out of conduct that implicates fundamental public policies, as manifested by Cal.Gov.Code Sec. 12940(f) (prohibiting retaliation against employees who oppose or participate in the investigation of discriminatory practices) and Cal. Labor Code Sec. 1102.5 (prohibiting retaliation against employees who disclose to the government violations of state or federal statutes and regulations). 53 B. Statute of Limitations. Pursuant to the California Tort Claims Act, a plaintiff suing a city and its employees must present a claim to the city no more than six months after accrual of the cause of action. Cal.Gov.Code Sec. 911.2 (1994). In addition, claims of infliction of emotional distress must be filed in a court within one year. Cantu v. Resolution Trust Corp., 4 Cal.App.4th 857, 889, 6 Cal.Rptr.2d 151 (1992); Cal.Code of Civ.Pro. Sec. 340 (1994). The district court did not make factual findings. We independently review the record. United States use of Wiltec Guam, Inc. v. Kahaluu Constr. Co., 857 F.2d 600, 603 (9th Cir.1988). 54 In May of 1989, Maynard filed a claim with the City, which it rejected the following month. He filed his complaint in federal court on November 17, 1989. Maynard alleged an ongoing campaign of retaliation that lasted at least through April 1989, when he was transferred to the Airport Department. He filed his claim and lawsuit within the periods specified by California law. 55 C. Jury Instruction on Fair Comment. Jackson argues that the trial court erred in declining to instruct on the defense of fair comment as it applied to her statements. We review de novo whether the defense of fair comment applies. Caballero v. Concord, 956 F.2d 204, 206 (9th Cir.1992); Institute of Athletic Motivation v. University of Illinois, 114 Cal.App.3d 1, 13 n. 5, 170 Cal.Rptr. 411 (1980). 56 Under California law, a statement is privileged if it involves 57 a communication, without malice, to a person interested therein, (1) by one who is also interested, or (2) by one who stands in such a relation to the person interested as to afford a reasonable ground for supposing the motive for the communication innocent, or (3) who is requested by the person interested to give the information. 58 Cal. Civil Code Sec. 47, subdiv. (c) (1994) (emphasis added). The jury found that Jackson acted with malice. Therefore, the defense of fair comment could not have applied to her statements. Deaile v. General Tel. Co., 40 Cal.App.3d 841, 847-48, 115 Cal.Rptr. 582 (1974). 59