Steadman v. Pagels
Annotate this CaseMelanie Steadman was the biological daughter of Steven Pagels. After Steadman left her family’s home she commenced this action, asserting claims for sexual assault and battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and negligent infliction of emotional distress. After a trial, the district court found Pagels liable to Steadman for all three tort claims alleged in her complaint and awarded Steadman both compensatory and punitive damages. The Supreme Judicial Court affirmed, holding (1) even if the district court committed error in admitting evidence of Pagels’ prior bad acts, any error was harmless; and (2) the district court properly found Pagels liable for both intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress.
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