Richardson v. Hennly

Bonnie Richardson (plaintiff) worked about 30 feet from coworker J.R. Hennly, Jr.'s (defendant) office; Hennly smoked a pipe throughout the workday despite knowing it caused Richardson serious allergic and physical reactions requiring two hospitalizations. Richardson was later fired for excessive absenteeism and sued Hennly and their employer for battery, alleging Hennly either intentionally directed his smoke at her to hurt her or acted in conscious disregard of the known harm it caused her. The trial court granted Hennly summary judgment, and Richardson appealed.