Articles

Marital Torts: Hitting, Biting, Gouging & Other Bad Stuff by John F. Nichols and Shannon Russell

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The author wishes to thank noted Texas trial attorney, Jim Barker, for his contribution to this article, wherein various defenses to causes of action are presented. The author also wishes to express his gratitude and appreciation to Ms. Delta Best for her contribution to this article "Insurance Coverages." Special thanks to Ted Terry, Jimmy Vaught and Karl E. Hays for their outstanding article "Fiduciary Duties of Spouses and Non-Physical Torts" presented to the Annual Meeting of the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers on March 23-26, 2000 in Palm Beach, Florida, which was partially used for this article.

APPRECIATION

The author wishes to acknowledge his appreciation to Debbie Harrington of his office for the typing of the many drafts of this article and Ms. Shannon Russell for her very hard and diligent work on the update of the materials contained herein.

I. Introduction	1
The Law

II. Reasons For Abolition of Interspousal Immunity	3
A. Unity	3
B. Marital Harmony	3
C. Stare Decisis	3
D. Legislative Inaction	3
E. Lack of Fraud and Collusion.	3
F. Equal Protection Clause	3

III. Distinction Between Intentional and Unintentional Torts, and Redressing Wrongs	4
A. Elements - Intentional Torts	4
B. Elements - Unintentional Torts	4
C. Redressing Wrongs	4

IV. Physical Manifestation Rule	5
A. The Rule	5
B. Intentional Torts	5
C. Unintentional Torts	5

V. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder	5
A. What Is PTSD?	5
B. What Is The Effect Of PTSD?	5
C. What Are The Characteristics Of PTSD?	6
D. Cases	6

VI. Presenting The Emotional Injury Case	6
A. Theoretical Approaches to Recovery for Emotional Injuries	6
5. Physical injury or impact rule	6
5. Zone of danger rule	7
6. Bystander proximity rule	7
7. Full recovery rule	9
B. Tactical Considerations in Presenting the Emotional Injury Case	9

VII. Joinder of Actions and Parties	10
B. Actions	10
C. Parties	10

VIII. Res Judicata and Collateral Estoppel - Distinction	10

IX. Procedural Bars and Defenses to Bringing Actions and Limiting Damages	11
A. Divorce cases	11
B. Non-Divorce cases	11
C. Limitations of actions	12
D. Defense - The "Relation Back" Doctrine	12
E. Defense - Aggravation of Pre-existing Conditions	13
F. Defense - Discovery Rule	13
G. Defense - Continuing Tort	14


X. Schlueter - Before and After	14
A. Introduction	14
B. Scope of Section	14
C. Reference Material	14
D. Schlueter v. Schlueter - Briefed 15
10. Question Answered	15
2. Facts	15
3. Holding	15
4. Discussion	16
5. Reasoning	16
6. Dissents	18
E. Factors to Consider in Dividing Marital Property in the Aftermath of Schlueter	19
F. Breach of Fiduciary Duty	19
G. Conversion	22
H. Remedies Available for Bad Conduct	23
1. Disproportionate division of community property	23
2. Money judgment against wrongdoing spouse	23
3. Constructive Trust	23
4. Resulting Trust	25
I. Post Divorce Equitable Division of Property	25
J. Schlueter's Progeny	26
1. Cases	26
2. Discussion of Cases	26

XI. Other Causes of Action and Defenses Available	34
A. Assault and Battery	34
1. Elements	34
2. Defenses	34
a. Consent	35
b. Self Defense	35
c. Defense of Others	36
d. Defense of Property	36
e. Statute of Limitations	37
f. Relevancy	37
g. Duration	37
h. Pleadings	37
3. Cross-Claim	38
B. Defamation	38
C. False Imprisonment	39
D. Interference with Custody	40
1. Statutory Requirements	41
2. Affirmative Defenses	41
3. Remedy Not Exclusive	41
4. Frivolous Lawsuits	41
E. Invasion of Privacy	42
10. Intrusion Upon Seclusion	42
j. Eavesdropping/Wiretapping	42
11. Publicly Placing a Person in a False Light [Not recognized]	43
12. Public Disclosure of Private Facts	43
13. Appropriation of Name or Likeness for Defendant's Advantage	43
14. Defenses	43
15. Pleadings	44
16. Wiretapping	44
17. E-Mail	45
F. Civil Conspiracy	46
1. Elements	46
2. Judgment	46
3. Statute of Limitations	47
4. Cross-Claim	47
G. Tortious Interference with Business Relations/Contract	47
1. Elements	47
2. Defenses	47
H. Interference with a Prospective Business Relationship	48
1. Elements	48
2. Defenses	48
I. Infliction of Emotional Distress	49
1. Intentional	49
2. Negligent	50
3. Pleading	50
4. Mental Exam	50
5. Defenses	51
J. Economic Duress	51
K. Forgery	52
L. Spoliation of Evidence	52
M. Jactitation of Marriage	52
N. Brainwashing	53
O. Abuse of Process	53
P. Torts of Children	54
10. Liability	54
11. Restatement (Second) of Torts 316	55
12. Damages	55

XII. Insurance Coverages	55
A. Homeowner's Policy	56
1. Insuring Language	56
2. Applicable Exclusions	56
(a) Intentional Acts	56
(b) Liability Assumed Under a Contract	56
(c) Transmission of Sickness Through Sexual Contact	56
(d) Intrafamily Exclusion	56
3. Public Policy Aspect	56
K. Automobile Policy	57
1. Specific Provisions	57
(j) Insuring Language	57
(k) Definitions	57
(l) Exclusions	57
(m) Shall Provide Minimal Extent of Coverage Required by Law	57
11. Public Policy Aspect	57
12. Violation of the Vehicle Safety Responsibility Act	58
C. Miscellaneous Considerations	59
10. Intentional Destruction of Property
By One Spouse	59
11. Reservations of Rights and the Duty to Defend	59
12. Right to Reject	60
13. Settlement	60
14. Subrogation	60
15. Notice	61
16. Statute of Limitations	61
17. Collateral Estoppel	62

XIII. Damages	62
A. Injury or Damage From Act	62
B. Intangible and Tangible Damages	62
C. Special Damages	62
D. General Damages	63
E. Actual Damages	63
F. Intangible Damages	63
G. Tangible Damages	63
E. Checklist	64
1. Library References	64
2. Checklist of Damages	64
a. Personal Injury Damages	64
b. Property Damages	64
c. Wrongful Death Damages	65
d. Survival Damages	65
e. Aggravation of Pre-Existing Conditions	65
f. Mitigation of damages	65
g. Expert Opinion Required	66
h. Bifurcation	66
i. Severance of Damages	66
j. Net Worth	66
k. Taxability of Punitive Damages	66
D. Restatement (Second) Torts-Damages	66
1. 901 General Principle	66
2. 902 Damages-Definition	67
3. 903 Compensatory Damages-Definition	67
4. 904 General and Special Damages	68
5. 905 Compensatory Damages for Nonpecuniary Harm	68
6. 906 Compensatory Damages for Pecuniary Harm	68
7. 907 Nominal Damages	68
8. 908 Punitive Damages	68
9. 909 Punitive Damages Against a Principal	69
10. 910 Damages For Past, Present and Prospective Harms	69
11. 911 Value	69
12. 912 Certainty	70
13. 913 Interest	70
14. 913A Present Worth For Future Pecuniary Losses	71
15. 914 Expense of Litigation	71
16. 914A Effect of Taxation	71
17. 915 [Now 435A] Intended Consequences	71
18. 916 [Now 435B] Unintended Consequences of Intentional Invasions	71
19. 917 Harms Resulting From Tortious Conduct	72
E. Restatement (Second) Torts-Diminution of Damages	72
1. 918 Avoidable Consequences	72
2. 919 Harm Suffered and Expenditures Made In Efforts to Avert Harm	72
3. 920 Benefit to Plaintiff Resulting from Defendant's Tort	72
4. 920A Effect of Payments Made to Injured Party	73
5. 921 Provocation	73
6. 922 Return or Tender of Return of Converted Chattel	73
7. 923 Payment of Debt by Tortfeasor	73
F. Restatement (Second) Torts-Compensatory Damages for Specific Types of Harm	74
1. 924 Harm to the Person	74
2. 925 Actions For Causing Death	74
3. 926 Survival of Tort Actions	74
4. 927 Conversion or Destruction of a Thing or of a Legally Protected Interest in It	74
5. 928 Harm to Chattels	75
The Trial For The Plaintiff

XIV. Evaluating Psychological Injuries	76
A. The Prospective Client and Credibility
1. Sizing Up the Prospective Client.	76
2. Establishing Client Credibility	76
3. Client Claims History.	76
4. The Malingerer.	77
5. Prior Criminal Record	77
6. Client Diary	77
B. The Medical Expert Consultant	78
1. Why An Expert Consultant?	78
2. Review of Records.	78
3. Costs.	79
C. The Medical Witness	79
1. Establishing Rapport.	79
2. Scheduling.	79
3. The Interview.	79
4. Costs.	80
5. Follow Up.	80
D. Glossary-Impairment	80
E. The Adjuster	80
1. Liability Picture.	80
F. Jury Selection	81
1. Axioms.	81
2. Do's and Don'ts.	82
3. Effective Jury Selection.	83
4. Communications Skills.	83
5. Self Disclosure Techniques.	83
6. Juror Types.	83
7. Dealing With Reluctant Jurors	84
8. Dealing With Difficult Jurors	84
9. How To Deal With Negative Spiraling.	84
10. How To Use Good Jurors Effectively.	85
11. Reframing.	85
a. What is Reframing?	85
b. The Approach.	85
c. The Bottom Line-Focus.	86

XV. Opening Statement	86
A. Importance	86
B. Checklist	86
C. Framework	87
1. Introduction.	87
2. Introduction of Counsel, the Parties and the Witnesses.	87
3. Setting the Stage.	87
4. Presentation of Issues.	87
5. Narrative of Events.	87
6. Basis for Liability.	87
7. Damages.	87
8. Causation.	87
D. Test of Effectiveness	87
E. Do's and Don't's	88
1. Never waive opening statement.	88
2. Divide the opening statement into two parts	88
3. Separate elements of damages	88
4. Use demonstrative evidence	88
5. Use "headlines"	88
6. Set forth the jury questions	88
7. Describe your "solid" witnesses.	88
8. Re-introduce your client	89
9. Never object unless you know it will be sustained.	89
10. Have the opening statement reported	89
11. Establish your credibility	89
12. Clarify your case for the jury	89
13. Never criticize or ridicule	89
14. Don't engage in histrionics.	89
15. Communicate with all the members of the jury	89
16. Avoid legalese.	89
17. Establish eye contact	89
18. Avoid self-deprecation.	89
19. Never address opposing counsel	89
20. Don't react to the opening statement of opposing counsel.	90
F. Primacy and Recency	90
G. Reference Material	90

XVI. Case-In-Chief	90
A. Primacy and Recency	90
B. Case-in-Chief Checklist	91

XVII. Demonstrative Evidence	91
A. What is Demonstrative Evidence?	91
B. Your Client as "Demonstrative Evidence"	91
C. Other Forms of Demonstrative Evidence	92
D. Why Use It?	93
E. How Do You "Sell" Demonstrative Evidence?	93
1. You as The Salesperson	93
2. Basic Theory of Sales For Trial Lawyers	93
3. Presenting The Product [Show-and- Tell Time]	93
F. Specific Demonstrative Evidence Presentation Techniques	95
G. Photographs	95
H. Audio Recordings	98
I. Video Recordings [Except Depositions]	100
J. Non-Stenographic Depositions (Video and/or Audio)	102
K. Charts and Diagrams	103
L. Calendars	104
M. Overhead Projectors	105
N. Electronic Copyboards	105
O. Computers in the Courtroom	105
P. Summary	106

XVIII. Presenting the Emotional Injury Case	106

XIX. Body Language	107
A. Introduction	107
B. Instructions to Jury	107
C. Resource Material	107
D. Use of Body Language in Jury Selection	108
1. Presenting Lawyer's Role-Body Language	108
a. Persuasive Speaker	108
b. Interviewer and Interrogator	108
2. Use of Demographics	109
3. Body Language Overview	109
a. Levels of Body Communication	109
b. Types of Body Language	109
c. Kinesics	109
d. Indigenous Leader Skills	110
e. Affiliative Skills	110
f. Proxemics	111
4. Buy Signals	111

XXI. Witness Preparation Overview	112
A. Witness Qualities of the Self-Defeating Witness	112
B. Traits vs. Litigation	112
C. Witness Preparation-Your Job	112
D. Use of Psychotherapist	113
E. Information Needed in Witness Preparation	113
F. The Experience of the Witness	113
1. The Believability of the Witness	113
2. Body Language Concepts	114
a. Variety	114
b. Congruence	114
c. Clarity	114
d. Trust	115
e. Firmness	115
3. Self-Discrediting Body Messages	116
a. Weak Witness	116
b. Snobbish Witness	117
c. Rebellious Witness	118
d. Flaky Witness	119
e. Tricky Witness	120
4. The Witness' Motivation	121
5. Methods of Relaxation	121
6. Desensitization	121
7. Self-Image Modification	122
8. "Lie Signals"	122
a. What to Look For	122
b. Methodology	122
c. Finger Over the Mouth-Signal	122
d. Finger Over the Mouth-Deviant Behavior Gestures	122
e. Excessive Self-Control and Smoothness	123
f. Overstated Feelings	123
g. Freudian Slips	123
h. Decrease in Gestures	123
i. Decrease in Number of Words Used 4	12
j. Incongruent Body Signals	124
k. Decrease in Eye Contact	124
l. Autonomic Signals	125
m. Pupil Signals	126
n. Believability Scale	126

XXII. Direct Examination	128
A. Domestic Tort Cases vs. Other Tort Cases Distinction- Emotionalism	128
B. Impact v. No Impact Torts	128
C. Pre-Trial Discovery Depositions	128
D. The Visible and Invisible Injury Torts - Demonstrative Evidence	128
E. Attorney and Witness "Faults" in Direct and Cross-Examination	129
F. Rules for Being a Good Examiner	129
G. Rules for Being a Good Witness - Lay or Expert	129
H. Ten Rules for Direct Examination	129
I. Special Rules for Examination of Experts	130

XXIII. Conclusion	131

XXIV. Appendix	1

XXV. Appendix	2

XXVI. Appendix	3

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Articles

Marital Torts: Hitting, Biting, Gouging & Other Bad Stuff by John F. Nichols and Shannon Russell

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

APPRECIATION