Huffman & Wright Logging Co. v. Wade
Oregon Supreme Court
857 P.2d 101 (1993)
Six Earth First! protesters (defendants) climbed onto and chained themselves to logging equipment belonging to Huffman & Wright Logging Company (plaintiff) as an environmental demonstration, hanging a banner and chanting slogans, forcing the company to halt logging operations for nearly a day. After being criminally convicted and serving jail time, the protesters were sued civilly for trespass to chattels; they conceded liability for compensatory damages but argued punitive damages were barred because their demonstration was constitutionally protected expressive conduct. A jury awarded $5,700 in compensatory and $25,000 in punitive damages; the trial court denied the protesters' motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict on the punitive award, and the Oregon Supreme Court granted review.
Whether the tort of trespass to chattels provides liability for harm caused by conduct.