How much can you sue someone for emotional abuse?
Asked by: Hobart Lang | Last update: November 21, 2025Score: 4.3/5 (2 votes)
Emotional distress can often qualify for both special and general damages. Because of this, pain and suffering compensation usually amounts to 2 to 5 times the total costs of medical bills (therapies, medications, etc.) and lost wages from missed work. This amount can vary significantly on a case-by-case basis.
How much can you get for suing for emotional distress?
First, there exists a garden variety emotional distress claim where you assert the claim but do not need to find and obtain a medical opinion by a therapist or psychiatrist. Generally, these claims are worth $30,000-$50,000.
Can you sue a person for emotional abuse?
The short answer is yes, you can sue for intentional infliction of emotion. The long answer is that it will be very difficult to win, especially w/o an underlying physical injury. As my colleague correctly advised, the standard for intentional infliction of emotional distress is extreme and outrageous conduct.
Can I get compensation for emotional abuse?
You can claim compensation for both physical and psychological injuries caused by abuse. You may also be able to claim for loss of earnings and any other expenses you've incurred as a result of the abuse.
Is suing for emotional distress worth it?
One of the core problems with suing for emotional distress is that it's hard to put a financial value on what you're experiencing. Unlike a broken bone that can be seen through an x-ray, the trauma you've experienced isn't as evident, and it ranges widely in severity from one person to the next.
What is Involved in Suing for Emotional Distress
What is proof of emotional distress?
Gathering compelling evidence is fundamental to constructing a robust case for emotional distress. The documentation should encompass a comprehensive range of materials, including medical records, therapy or counseling records, eyewitness testimonies, and expert witness testimony.
Can you sue police for emotional trauma?
Yes, you can sue the police for emotional distress, but doing so requires specific legal conditions to be met. Emotional distress claims against law enforcement are typically based on either intentional infliction of emotional distress (IIED) or negligent infliction of emotional distress (NIED).
Can I take my ex to court for emotional abuse?
Yes, but only in rare situations in which your ex's behavior was really bad and the distress you suffer is severe. In some states, you must have physical symptoms to move a case forward. You do not need to have suffered physical abuse, but a standard breakup is not enough.
What does narcissistic abuse look like?
Narcissistic abuse is a form of emotional abuse at the hands of people with narcissistic traits or narcissistic personality disorder. It involves manipulation, emotional exploitation, and a lack of empathy, often occurring in close relationships with romantic partnerships, family members, friends, or co-workers.
Is emotional abuse difficult to prove?
Because of its subtleties, emotional abuse can be quite difficult to detect when it is being experienced. Emotional abuse is also a foundation for other forms of abuse. Often, it is used erode a person's self-esteem and self-worth and create a psychological dependency on the abusive partner.
Do I need a lawyer to sue for emotional distress?
Proving that emotional distress took place can be a difficult legal claim to support. As with any lawsuit, working with an experienced lawyer who can help you collect pertinent evidence is one of the best ways to seek success in your case.
How to win an emotional distress case?
In an emotional distress claim, proving that the defendant acted with intent is key. This means showing that they knew or should have known their actions would cause serious distress. Your lawyer will start by gathering evidence such as emails or text messages, which can be crucial in establishing this intentionality.
How to calculate emotional damage?
One of the most common approaches to emotional distress compensation involves taking the total of your economic damages and multiplying it by a number between 1.5 and 5, depending on the severity and duration of your mental distress.
How do I sue for psychological trauma?
The only way to successfully sue for negligent infliction of emotional distress is if the plaintiff can show that the mental stress directly caused some type of physical reaction. For example, if PTSD or anxiety caused the plaintiff to break out in hives or develop tremors or shakes in their hands.
How much can you sue the police for?
While there is no predetermined amount that victims can sue for in law enforcement misconduct cases, having a police brutality attorney in California on your side goes a long way toward securing a fair settlement for your particular case.
Is emotional damage a crime?
Emotional Damage is a Legal Gray Area
In California's criminal code, there is no crime described in the written statutes as “emotional abuse.” Instead, California's Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), which is part of California's criminal code, only refers to "emotional damage."
How much is a disability check for anxiety?
The average disability check for anxiety and other mental disorders was $1,343.88 in 2022. If you qualify for benefits with anxiety, the maximum disability payment for SSDI is $3,822 per month, and the most you can get from SSI is $943 per month in 2024.
Can I get money for having anxiety and depression?
If your mental health means you aren't able to work or it is making it too hard for you to work full time, you might be able to get benefits to top up your income. Universal Credit is a benefit for anyone with low or no income.
How much is a PTSD claim worth?
The average PTSD settlement amount is often between $10,000 and $100,000.
How much compensation could I get?
The amount you can claim depends on a variety of factors including the type of injury you've suffered. Two main considerations are taken into account when calculating your compensation: Your pain, suffering and the impact of your injury on your ability to do your usual activities.
How to prove psychological injury?
- Information provided by the agent, such as GP clinical records and circumstance investigation reports.
- Information provided by the worker during the assessment, such as: their mental health history. details of their personal life.