Kloepfel v. Bokor

In 1994, Joseph Bokor (defendant) and Judy Kloepfel (plaintiff) began living together. In 1997, Kloepfel moved out of the home and obtained a restraining order against Bokor. The restraining order provided that Bokor was forbidden from calling Kloepfel, threatening Kloepfel, or visiting Kloepfel’s home or work. Bokor frequently violated the order. Between August 1997 and October 2000, Bokor called Kloepfel around 740 times. Bokor also called the men that he believed were romantically involved with Kloepfel. During this time, Bokor threatened to kill Kloepfel and at least one man she had dated. Kloepfel began avoiding her home to evade Bokor. Kloepfel’s boss was forced to make arrangements to keep Kloepfel protected while at work. In January 1998 and March 1999, Bokor was convicted of a harassment, domestic-violence misdemeanor. In September 1999, Bokor was convicted of felony stalking. Following Bokor’s convictions, Kloepfel filed a cause of action against Bokor. Kloepfel claimed that Bokor had committed various torts against her, including the intentional infliction of emotional distress. The trial court found that Bokor had committed the intentional infliction of emotional distress and awarded Kloepfel $60,256. Bokor appealed on the ground that the evidence Kloepfel introduced was insufficient. Bokor argued that Kloepfel should have been required to produce objective symptomology evidence that she suffered severe emotional distress. The court of appeals rejected Bokor’s argument and affirmed the trial court. The matter was appealed to the Washington Supreme Court.