[shoffma1999]

They got off light? That is the most rediculous statement I have heard in my life. They did not do anything wrong. Generally, in cases such as this where someone sues for Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress there must be an intent to cause emotional distress (none here), there must be some outrageous behavior = beyond all bounds of social decency (delivering cookies to someone beyond all bounds of social decency - maybe Today, but I don't think so), and sever emotional distress actually has to be caused (maybe some emotional distress was involved but I am not really convinced).

[Judith Anne]

The lady didn't get any damages for emotional distress. She got part of her medical expenses paid. Not all. Part.

[Judith Anne]

When was the last time you went to a rural area at 10:30 at night, snuck around to the back door, banged on it, refused to identify yourself, and then claimed you were "delivering cookies" as a "surprise"?

I bet you'd be lucky to get off with being taken to court. More likely you'd have been shot at.

[Balding_Eagle]

They did get off light. Based on the circumstances presented in the story, here in Colorado the woman could have shot them to death, and most likely would have been held harmless. That would have been under Colorado's make my day law.

A lot of people have no idea of the true meaning of that old cliché "An armed society is a polite society".