Day on Torts
More information continues to be leaked to the media about Tiger Woods’ alleged mistresses, and news reports indicate that at least one of them has confirmed a long-lasting affair.
What does the law of torts say about this? Alienation of affections, criminal conversation, and reckless infliction of emotional distress immediately come to mind as potential claims that Ms.Nordegren could assert any woman who had a sexual relationship with her husband.
What is alienation of affections? In Tennessee, alienation of affections "is the willful and malicious interference with the marriage relation by a third party, without justification or excuse." Donnell v. Donnell, 220 Tenn. 169, 415 S.W.2d 127, 132 (1967). The cause of action was abolished by statute in Tennessee in 1989.