Opinion ID: 2453290
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Outrage and Battery

Text: Appellant's complaint alleges that Sentry committed the torts of outrage and battery largely based upon a series of events occurring following his termination. At the time of Stockton's termination, Sentry informed him of the procedure for extending his dental insurance benefits. Appellant contends he completed the prescribed process and made an appointment to have crowns put on his teeth. Appellant alleges that, in mid-procedure, the dentist stopped because someone on the dentist's staff told the dentist the insurer called and said they would not cover the procedure. The dentist put a temporary plastic cap on his drilled-off tooth which caused him discomfort until he could come up with the money to pay the dentist to complete the work. The outrage claim also includes alleged abuse by Appellee McDuff in calling Appellant Russ Stockton's wife and telling her he was a lazy s.o.b. who wasn't good enough for her, and that he was going to terminate him while she was pregnant like he had terminated another employee whose wife was terminally ill. To succeed on a tort-of-outrage claim, the plaintiff must prove that 1) the defendant intended to inflict emotional distress or knew or should have known that emotional distress was the likely result of his conduct, 2) the conduct was extreme and outrageous and utterly intolerable in a civilized community, 3) the defendant's conduct was the cause of the plaintiff's distress, and 4) the emotional distress sustained by the plaintiff was so severe that no reasonable person could be expected to endure it. Hollomon v. Keadle, 326 Ark. 168, 931 S.W.2d 413 (1996). In City of Green Forest v. Morse, 316 Ark. 540, 873 S.W.2d 155 (1994), we examined the history of Arkansas cases involving the tort of outrage arising out of an employee's discharge and stated: We have consistently taken a narrow view in recognizing claims for the tort of outrage that arise out of the discharge of an employee. The reason is that an employer must be given considerable latitude in dealing with employees, and at the same time, an employee will frequently feel considerable insult when discharged. In this context we have written: Because of the employer's right to discharge an at-will employee, a claim of outrage by an at-will employee cannot be predicated upon the fact of the discharge alone. However, the manner in which the discharge is accomplished or the circumstances under which it occurs may render the employer liable.... The duty owed is a matter of law, and we have said that duty is to refrain from conduct that is so extreme and outrageous as to go beyond all possible bounds of decency and to be utterly intolerable in a civilized society. M.B.M. Co. v. Counce, 268 Ark. 269, 596 S.W.2d 681 (1980). Unicare Homes, Inc. v. Gribble, 63 Ark.App. 241, 977 S.W.2d 490 (1998). Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to appellant, we hold that his complaint did not state facts sufficient to constitute the tort of outrage. Certainly, if true, these allegations describe unprofessional, inconsiderate, and perhaps unethical conduct. However, without more, we do not find it to be so extreme and outrageous that it is to be considered intolerable in a civilized society. The trial court's dismissal of appellant's outrage claim is affirmed. Stockton also claims Sentry is liable for battery. His complaint alleges battery based upon the fact that Stockton was obliged to return to the dentist on a second, unnecessary occasion in order to have dental work completed. Stockton's reply brief further contends battery occurred because he [Stockton] was forced to undergo an interrupted dental procedure without informed consent. Apparently, appellant is attempting to hold Sentry responsible for actions of the dentist based upon appellee's alleged communication with the dentist's office. Even assuming that Stockton's allegations as stated are true, we hold that facts that would constitute the tort of battery on the part of Sentry simply have not been put forth. We, therefore, affirm the trial court's dismissal of the battery claim.