Braun v. Richard

2 Teiss. 44, 1904 La. App. LEXIS 104

• Court: Louisiana Court of Appeal
• Decided: December 12, 1904
• Docket: No. 3548
• Status: Published

Opinion

DUFOU1R, J.

The plaintiff sues defendant for calling him “a- G-d d-m- s-n of a b.” Two witnesses only testify: Braun, who says that the abuse was without provocation, and Dr. Wallace Wood, wiho says a controversy arose between the litigants about the cancellation of a policy of insurance and that Braun rudely intruded on a conversation 'between Wood and tíre defendant. He adds that the epithet was applied after Richard had twice aske/d Braun if he wished to know “his opinion of him and had been twice answered affirmatively.

December 12th, 1904.

Dr. Wood’s version appears to have been accepted by the district judge and we must therefore conclude that Braun offered provocation sufficient to anger the defendant. But neither this provocation nor the plaintiff’s request to know defendant’s opinion of him can1 excuse the u'se of the most opprobrious epithet known to our language. Had he answered by applying an epithet relevant to his sense of resentment at having been wronged in business, the plaintiff’s request might, perhaps, exonerate defendant, but the use of the filtlhy and disgusting language mentioned was unwarranted and unjustifiable.

“Utterances against a person while in a state of great excitement, by one who thinks'he has 'been wronged by that person, are not in law justifiable, but the circumstances under which they are made may be considered in fixing damages.” 104 La. 180.

■Under Art. 2315, R. C. C., defendant must respond in damages, and under Art. 1934, no proof of special damage is required. 16 La. 75.

Common law rules on this subject find no place in our jurisprudence.

Plaintiff’s sole claim in his testimony is for the humiliation he suffered; considering that only Dr. Wood was present and no publicity resulted, we think'adequate and substantial redress will ho afforded by allowing the plaintiff $100.

Section No. 2618 of our docket, Kuchenthal vs. Delaney.

Judgment reversed, and it is now decreed that plaintiff recover of defendant the sum of $100. with legal interest from date of judgment below, to-wit: June 13th, 1904, defendants to pay costs of both courts.