Court Opinion

ID: 9559534
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 17:30:54.382404+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:10:13.305511
License: Public Domain

Stafford, J.
(concurring in the result only) — It must be stressed that the "facts" which set the stage for this opinion were derived from mere allegations in plaintiff's claim for relief. The sole issue is whether the allegations state a claim that will support the tort of outrage as defined in Restatement (Second) of Torts § 46(1) and Grimsby v. Samson, 85 Wn.2d 52, 530 P.2d 291 (1975).
In essence, the instant case observes that the allegations claim a series of intentional, reckless acts and circumstances which, if proved, could be deemed by a jury to be "so outrageous in character, and so extreme in degree, as to go beyond all possible bounds of decency, and to be regarded as atrocious, and utterly intolerable in a civilized community.'" Grimsby v. Samson, supra at 59. If a jury should so find and also determined that the conduct proximately caused "severe emotional distress to the plaintiff," the resulting damage would support recovery under the tort of outrage. Grimsby v. Samson, supra at 59. Nevertheless, we should make it abundantly clear that we are not declaring, as a matter of fact or a matter of law, that the alleged acts and circumstances are to be equated with the tort of outrage. Whether the alleged acts and circumstances ultimately meet the tests of Grimsby and the Restatement is a jury question.
I take this cautionary approach because I fear the majority's discussion of the nation's growing social sensitiveness to formerly acceptable language leads us too easily from an area of original social acceptance, and subsequent nonacceptance, to the area of legal liability. In fact, a cursory reading of the opinion and consideration of the cited law review article-by W. Prosser, together with the proposition for which the treatise by W. Buckland and A. McNair is cited, could easily cause one to assume that the holding of *744this case either runs counter to, or at least greatly expands upon, the very carefully chosen words of Grimsby which were based upon the equally exacting terminology of Restatement (Second) of Torts § 46, particularly comment d. The majority goes even further to say generally that "[w]hen one in a position of authority, actual or apparent, over another has allegedly made racial slurs and jokes and comments, this abusive position gives added impetus to the claim of outrageous behavior." It cites Restatement (Second) of Torts § 46, comment e. Yet, even comment e closes with the admonition: "Even in such cases, however, the actor has not been held liable for mere insults, indignities, or annoyances that are not extreme or outrageous." See also comments d and / which contain similar cautionary remarks.
Lest we leave the impression that every epithet, joke, comment, economic and racial slur, embarrassment or hurt feelings is ipso facto abusive within the terms of comments d, e and / or may support a claim for damages, we should recall specifically what was said in Grimsby. We expressed with care that "liability in the tort of outrage 'does not extend to mere insults, indignities, threats, annoyances, petty oppressions, or other trivialities.' In this area plaintiffs must necessarily be hardened to a certain degree of rough language, unkindness and lack of consideration." Grimsby v. Samson, supra at 59. In the same paragraph we also stressed most carefully that "it is not enough that a 'defendant has acted with an intent which is tortious or even criminal, or that he has intended to inflict emotional distress, or even that his conduct has been characterized by "malice," or a degree of aggravation which would entitle the plaintiff to punitive damages for another tort.'" Grimsby v. Samson, supra at 59.
We cannot say, as a matter of fact or a matter of law, that the alleged conduct in this case is the equivalent of the tort of outrage. It is actionable only, if after considering all of the surrounding circumstances, a jury concludes that the conduct is so outrageous in character, and so extreme in *745degree, as to go beyond all possible bounds of decency and should be regarded as atrocious and utterly intolerable in a civilized society. We hold only that the allegations, if proved, provide a jury question. Restatement (Second) of Torts § 46, comment h.
Brachtenbach and Hicks, JJ., concur with Stafford, J.