MEYER
v.
HAFT-GAINES CO.

Broward Cty. Cir. Ct. | 1976-06-17
No. 76-118
44 Fla. Supp. 137 Broward County Circuit Court (1976)

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Synopsis

A female customer sought compensatory and punitive damages after a restaurant refused to serve her in its dining room. The court granted the defendant's motion to dismiss, finding the complaint failed to allege facts sufficient to establish an intentional infliction of emotional distress or other actionable tort.


Holding

The motion to dismiss is granted because the complaint fails to allege sufficient facts to support an action for intentional infliction of emotional distress, prima facie tort, or any other actionable wrong. For emotional distress to be actionable, the intentional conduct must be so outrageous as to be calculated or substantially certain to cause severe distress in a person of ordinary sensibilities. Bare allegations of willful and malicious conduct are insufficient to support punitive damages.


Headnotes

[1] Recovery for intentional infliction of severe mental distress is not permitted in the absence of an independent, actionable tort.

[2] Damages for mental distress are generally recoverable as consequential damages for an independent tort, not as a standalone cause of action.

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Key Quotes

“To be actionable the intentional conduct must be so outrageous as to be calculated or substantially certain to result in severe emotional distress in a person of ordinary sensibilities, determined on an objective basis.”

Establishes the legal standard for actionable intentional infliction of emotional distress in Florida law

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Facts & Procedural History

The plaintiff alleged that the defendant, a public dining establishment, refused to serve her in its dining room. The complaint does not specify the r…

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Opinion of the Court
STEPHEN R. BOOHER, Circuit Judge.

STEPHEN R. BOOHER, Circuit Judge.

This cause came on for consideration on the defendant’s motion to dismiss, and the court having considered the same, together with the arguments and authorities of counsel, and being otherwise duly advised in the premises, finds that the motion should be granted, with leave to amend. The plaintiff seeks compensatory and punitive damages because of the defendant’s refusal to serve her in its dining room, which she alleges was open to the public. The reason for the refusal is not pleaded and the court cannot consider in ruling on the sufficiency of the complaint the reasons given by counsel during argument on the motion. Without more, it does not appear that the plaintiff has alleged an actionable wrong.

The plaintiff contends that her action lies, despite the fact that it appears founded only on mental distress, because it alleges an intentional rather than a negligent tort. More, however, is required. To be actionable the intentional conduct must be so outrageous as to be calculated or substantially certain to result in severe emotional distress in a person of ordinary sensibilities, determined on an objective basis. Slocum v. Food Fair Stores of Florida, Inc., 100 So.2d 396 (Fla. 1958). It is true that mental and emotional tranquility are increasingly being recognized as interests deserving of legal protection. Magruder, Mental Disturbance in Torts, 49 Harv. L. Rev. 1033 (1936); Prosser, Intentional Infliction of Mental Distress, 37 Mich. L. Rev. 874 (1939). But there are no allegations here that suggest that the defendant’s refusal was anything but respectful and decent, made without undue harassment or humiliation, and well within the bounds necessarily tolerated by society.

*139It should be noted that the defendant while operating a public food establishment is nonetheless a private enterprise, and that it has the right to refuse service to anyone who is objectionable or undesirable, so long as such refusal is not based on race, creed, color, or national origin. §509.092, Florida Statutes. Cf. 42 U.S.C. §§1981, et seq. There is nothing in the complaint that suggests that the refusal falls within the statutory exception.

The court has considered that the actions of the defendant otherwise lawful might fall within the ambit of the prima facie tort doctrine if solely and maliciously intended to harm the plaintiff, without excuse or justification. Aikens v. Wisconsin, 195 U.S. 194, 25 S. Ct. 3, 49 L. Ed. 154 (1904). Insufficient facts are alleged to bring the case within that doctrine.

As to the claim for punitive damages, the defendant contends and the court agrees that the unsupported allegations that the acts of the defendant were done wilfully, knowingly, maliciously, and in wanton disregard of the rights and feelings of the plaintiff are not sufficient. Such bare allegations cannot take the place of specific ultimate facts which show that the alleged acts were intended to have the serious effects claimed. In addition, the claim for punitive damages cannot stand if the claim for compensatory damages falls. McLain v. Pensacola Coach Corp., 152 Fla. 876, 13 So.2d 221 (1943).

Accordingly, it is ordered and adjudged that the defendant’s motion to dismiss is granted, and the plaintiff is granted leave to amend her complaint within fifteen days of the date hereof if she be so advised.


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