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CHAPTER 30
OTHER WORKPLACE TORTS
BY LAURA M. FRANZE
30:1. INTRODUCTION
30:2. INDIRECT EMPLOYER NEGLIGENCE: RESPONDEAT SUPERIOR
A. Overview
B. Employer-Employee Relationship
C. Course and Scope of Employment
1. Course and Scope Defined
2. Intentional Torts Generally Not Within Course and Scope
30:3. DIRECT NEGLIGENCE
A. Overview
B. Elements of Direct Negligence Claim
1. Duty/Breach
2. Proximate Cause and Injury
a. Cause-In-Fact
b. Foreseeability
C. Direct Negligence Theories Recognized in Texas
1. Negligent Hiring
a. Duty
b. Breach
c. Causation
i. Cause-In-Fact
ii. Proximate Cause
2. Negligent Retention
3. Negligent Training and Supervision
4. Negligent Entrustment
5. Negligent Misrepresentation
6. Negligent Credentialing
D. Direct Negligence Theories Not Recognized in Texas
1. Negligent Interference With Familial Relations
2. Negligent Termination
3. Negligent Investigation
4. Negligent Drug Testing
5. Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress
30:4. INTENTIONAL INFLICTION OF EMOTIONAL DISTRESS
A. Overview
B. Elements
1. Availability of Alternative Statutory Cause of Action
2. Extreme and Outrageous Conduct
a. Termination
b. Harassing and Retaliatory Conduct
c. Assault, Humiliation, Ostracism
d. Questioning Employees
3. Severe Emotional Distress
4. Intent or Recklessness
5. Causation
30:5. TORTIOUS INTERFERENCE WITH CONTRACTUAL RELATIONS
A. Overview
B. Tortious Interference With Existing Contract
1. Existing Contract
2. Intentional and Willful Interference
3. Proximate Cause
C. Tortious Interference With Prospective Contract (Business Relationship)
1. Reasonable Probability of Business Relationship
2. Defendant Acted With Malice
3. Causation
D. Defenses to Tortious Interference Claims
1. Privilege
2. No Third-Party Interference
30:6. ASSAULT AND BATTERY
A. Elements
B. Respondeat Superior Issues
30:7. FRAUD AND NEGLIGENT MISREPRESENTATION
A. Fraud
1. Material Misrepresentation
2. Knowledge of Falsity or Reckless Disregard of Truth
3. Intent to Induce Action
4. Detrimental Reliance
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B. Negligent Misrepresentation
1. Negligent and False Representation in Course of Business
30:8. FALSE IMPRISONMENT
A. Elements
B. Employer Responsibility for False Imprisonment of Customers
C. Employer Responsibility for False Imprisonment of Employees
30:9. MALICIOUS PROSECUTION
A. Elements
B. Burdens of Proof
C. Unlawful Retaliation
30:10. DRUG AND ALCOHOL ISSUES
B. Employee Testing
30:11. SPECIAL PRECLUSION AND PREEMPTION DEFENSES
A. Overview
B. Workers’ Compensation Preclusion—Exclusive Remedy Clause
1. General Effect of Exclusivity Provision
2. Exclusive Remedy Provision Does Not Apply to Third Parties
3. Employer’s Intentional Torts Are Not Within Exclusive Remedy Clause
5. The Personal Animosity Proviso
D. Employee Retirement Income Security Act Preemption
30:12. REMEDIES
A. Compensatory Damages
B. Punitive or Exemplary Damages
1. Malice or Gross Negligence
3. Determining Proper Amount
4. Statutory Caps on Punitive Damages
5. Bifurcation of Trial
C. Prejudgment Interest
D. Attorneys’ Fees
E. Duty to Mitigate
F. Collateral Source Doctrine
APPENDIX
Appendix 30-1 Avoiding Workplace Tort Claims—Practical Tips for Employers
