Q: What is 'actionable per se 'in tort ?

Ans: Actionable per se means the actions that do not require the allegations or proof of additional facts to constitute a cause of action. Such a tort is actionable simply because it happened. In such actions, the plaintiff does not have to prove that he suffered any damages in order to have a cause of action. Tort claims normally require proof of damages. If you haven't suffered any loss, you have no claim. A tort that is actionable per se does not require proof of damages to be actionable; such a tort is actionable simply because it happened. Of course, if a person is unable to show that he has suffered any loss, the damages he recovers are unlikely to be significant. Defamation and trespass are two class examples of torts that are actionable per se.
Illustration: 

In cases of assault, battery, false imprisonment, libel or trespass on land, the mere wrongful act is actionable and it is immaterial that the plaintiff has not suffered any damage as a result of it. Words are actionable per se if they are obviously insulting and injurious to one's reputation. In lawsuits for libel or slander, words that impute the commission of a crime, a loathsome disease, or unchastity, or remarks that affect the plaintiff's business, trade, profession, calling, or office may be actionable per se. No special proof of harm done by the words is necessary to win monetary damages when are actionable per se.

Keywords used: 

Libel : a published false statement that is damaging to a person's reputation; a written defamation.

Loathsome: Causing hatred or disgust

Slander: the action or crime of making a false spoken statement damaging to a person's reputation.

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