Public Disclosure of Private Facts
A claim for public disclosure of private facts is one of four common law claims for invasion of privacy recognized in the District of Columbia. A claim for public disclosure of private facts generally requires showing that a person published private facts about another person that were not the subject of legitimate public interest, and that the publication would be highly offensive to a reasonable person.
A victim of public disclosure of private facts may recover compensatory damages for injury to her privacy interest, emotional distress, and pecuniary losses (such as lost wages).
For information about other civil claims recognized in the District of Columbia, click here. For information about how to use this guide, click here.
[Sources: Douglas C. Melcher, Tort Claims and Defenses in the District of Columbia § 20 (2014), and legal authorities cited therein.]