Torts: IIED, False Imprisonment and Conversion

In this episode, we explore three powerful tort doctrines shaping personal injury law in Tennessee and Alabama: Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (IIED), False Imprisonment, and Conversion. From shocking hospital mishandling to wrongful property control and alleged unlawful detentions, we dive into the legal standards and courtroom battles that define what’s outrageous, what’s unlawful, and what crosses the line.

We unpack key cases like:

• Johnson v. Woman’s Hospital — where a grieving mother was handed her infant’s body in a jar of formaldehyde,
• Medlin v. Allied Investment Co. — clarifying the limits of offensive behavior under the “tort of outrageous conduct,”
• Newsom v. Thalhimer Bros. — showing why fear alone doesn’t always equal false imprisonment,
• and Russell-Vaughn Ford v. Rouse — where refusing to return car keys led to a $5,000 conversion verdict.

Through these cases, we highlight:

• The high threshold for emotional distress claims, requiring conduct that’s not just mean—but beyond all bounds of decency.
• The clear requirement of physical or authoritative restraint in false imprisonment cases.
• And the strict standard of dominion and control in conversion law, where even temporary interference with property can carry serious legal weight.

Whether you're a law student or legal enthusiast, this episode offers a deep dive into how courts draw the line between misbehavior and actionable torts in the South.

 Introductory Music for American Law Cafe. In Jazz Short by moodmode / Vlad Krotov.