Chapter 9-16 Prima Facie Tort

• Jurisdiction: United States

9-16 "Prima Facie Tort"

9-16:1 Overview

Prima facie tort is the infliction of an intentional harm without excuse or justification by an act or series of acts which otherwise would be lawful and which results in special damage.⁸³ The concept has its roots in a United States Supreme Court opinion,⁸⁴ but has not gained traction in Texas.

9-16:1.1 Related Causes of Action

Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress, Malicious Prosecution, Abuse of Process

MUST READ CASE

Martin v. Trevino, 578 S.W.2d 763 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 1978, writ ref'd n.r.e.)

9-16:2 Expressly Rejected in Texas

Those Texas courts writing on the issue expressly rejected prima facie tort as a cause of action.⁸⁵ Other sources of law provide a remedy, and any creation of a cause of action should be left to the legislature.⁸⁶

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Notes:

^[83] Martin v. Trevino, 578 S.W.2d 763, 772 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 1978, writ ref'd n.r.e.).

^[84] Aikens v. State of Wis., 195 U.S. 194, 204 (1904).

^[85] E.g., A.G. Servs, Inc. v. Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co., 757 S.W.2d 503, 507 (Tex. App.— Houston [1st Dist.] 1988, writ denied); Martin v. Trevino, 578 S.W.2d 763, 772-73 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 1978, writ ref'd n.r.e.).

^[86] Martin v. Trevino, 578 S.W.2d 763, 772-73 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 1978, writ ref'd n.r.e.).