What is "negligent infliction of emotional distress"?

Negligent infliction of emotional distress refers to the concept where a person suffers emotional harm due to the negligent actions of another, without the need for a direct physical injury. This means that the defendant did not intend to cause emotional distress, but their careless actions led to a situation where the plaintiff experienced significant emotional suffering.

In this context, the key elements include the defendant's negligence and the resulting emotional distress experienced by the plaintiff. This legal concept is grounded in the understanding that while emotional suffering can be profound, it may arise from situations where there is no direct physical interaction or injury occurring. This distinguishes it from other types of claims that may involve intentional acts or different legal theories altogether.

Other options portray different legal concepts or limitations related to emotional distress. For instance, intentional acts that cause emotional harm are categorized under intentional infliction of emotional distress rather than negligent actions. Emotional harm stemming from contractual disputes does not typically fit within the framework of tort law concerning emotional distress, as it relates more to breach of contract claims. Claims made by family members for a loved one's distress usually pertain to bystander claims, which have their own distinct legal standards separate from the negligent infliction of emotional distress applicable to the primary victim. Therefore, B accurately captures the