Court Opinion

ID: 9477037
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-05 06:11:41.682496+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:45:38.833597
License: Public Domain

ON PETITION FOR REHEARING
MARIS, Circuit Judge.
The appellant has petitioned for rehearing urging that there was no personal injury in this case since there was no pain and suffering shown but merely the economic injury resulting from the tort. Thus, they argue, the suit was in reality one for lost wages, not for personal injuries. We do not agree. The denial of a civil right, such as *71the right of free speech, involves a personal injury just as much as a physical assault. While the injury is not physical, it may well involve mental or psychic pain and suffering. Just as in the case of the pain and suffering resulting from a physical injury, the injury to the individual from mental pain and suffering can only be estimated in money. But it is, nonetheless, compensable and the courts estimate it as best they can. Moreover, any economic injury proximately resulting, such as loss of wages in this instance, may be compensated for in an award of damages for the personal injuries involved in the denial of the civil right. The parties in their agreed settlement of damages in this instance did not choose to allow for the mental stress but based their award on the lost wages of the appellee and his attorney’s fee which proximately resulted from the denial of his right of free speech. This was entirely appropriate.
The petition for rehearing will be denied.