What are the requirements for establishing "emotional distress" in negligence claims?

The establishment of "emotional distress" in negligence claims centers on the severity and nature of the defendant's conduct, as well as the level of distress experienced by the plaintiff. For a claim to be valid, the conduct must be deemed outrageous or extreme, going beyond the bounds of decency expected in society. Additionally, the emotional distress that follows must also be severe, indicating that the plaintiff has experienced a significant level of suffering due to the conduct.

This framework is rooted in the understanding that not all emotional distress claims will succeed; they must meet these specific thresholds to be actionable. The requirement for outrageous conduct serves to ensure that only serious instances of negligence resulting in emotional harm are addressed in a legal context. This balance helps prevent the courts from being overwhelmed with frivolous claims based on minor or transient emotional reactions.

In contrast, the other options do not align with the legal standards for emotional distress in negligence claims. Claims involving physical injuries, financial loss, or solely psychological evaluations do not inherently capture the essence of emotional distress claims as articulated in influential case law. Thus, focusing on both the severity of the conduct and the resultant emotional distress provides a clear pathway for establishing such claims in negligence contexts.