What's the legal term for emotional distress?

Asked by: Orpha Witting DDS  |  Last update: September 2, 2022
Score: 4.8/5 (52 votes)

Under U.S. law, the legal definition of emotional distress is any mental suffering, including all the symptoms mentioned above, caused by a particular event of negligence or intent to harm. Within the courts, you may also hear this referred to as mental anguish.

Is causing emotional distress a crime?

The tort of intentional infliction of emotional distress (IIED) occurs when one acts abominably or outrageously with intent to cause another to suffer severe emotional distress, such as issuing the threat of future harm.

What are the two types of emotional distress?

Negligent & Intentional Emotional Distress Cases

There are two types of emotional distress cases, negligent and intentional.

What qualifies as severe emotional distress?

Severe emotional distress is that which is substantial or enduring. It has also been defined as a kind of distress no reasonable person is expected to endure. It may consist of any highly unpleasant reaction such as fright, grief, shame, humiliation, embarrassment, anger, or worry.

What emotional things can you sue for?

If someone causes you mental stress and trauma — such as anxiety or paranoia — you can sue him or her for damages under the legal theory of emotional distress. But in reality, securing damages for stress and trauma is pretty challenging. Damages are awarded only when certain circumstances are present.

Intentional infliction of emotional distress legal definition

19 related questions found

What are the 5 signs of emotional suffering?

Know the 5 signs of Emotional Suffering
  • Personality change in a way that seems different for that person.
  • Agitation or displaying anger, anxiety or moodiness.
  • Withdrawal or isolation from others.
  • Poor self-care and perhaps engaging in risky behavior.
  • Hopelessness, or feelings of being overwhelmed and worthless.

What's an example of emotional distress?

Examples of Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress claims can include racial insults, sex discrimination, false imprisonment and conduct that threatens your physical security (although a physical injury is not necessary).

How do you prove emotional distress?

To prove a claim for intentional infliction of emotional distress in California a plaintiff must prove that:
  1. The defendant's conduct was outrageous,
  2. The conduct was either reckless or intended to cause emotional distress; and.
  3. As a result of the defendant's conduct the plaintiff suffered severe emotional distress.

How do courts determine infliction of emotional distress?

The tort of intentional infliction of emotional distress has four elements: (1) the defendant must act intentionally or recklessly; (2) the defendant's conduct must be extreme and outrageous; and (3) the conduct must be the cause (4) of severe emotional distress.

Can you sue someone for emotional trauma?

Can you sue someone for emotional trauma? The short answer is yes. Emotional trauma must be classified as a psychological injury. A psychological injury is emotional, behavioural and sometimes cognitive symptoms that affect how a person feels, thinks and behaves.

What's the difference between mental anguish and emotional distress?

Mental anguish is an element of claims of both intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress. Mental anguish is part of the damage alleged by a person who is the victim of the infliction of emotional distress, whether negligent or intentional.

Can you sue for narcissistic abuse?

Yes, you can sue for emotional abuse. Attorneys across the United States recognize emotional abuse as a cause of action, allowing families of those victims of emotional abuse in nursing homes to sue in response to their loved ones' mistreatment.

Can you claim damages for emotional distress?

You can claim for the emotional distress the discrimination has caused you - this is called 'injury to feelings'. You'll need to say how the discrimination made you feel. Ask your family, friends, colleagues, medical professionals or support workers if they'll be witnesses to how the discrimination affected you.

What are three defenses to infliction of emotional distress?

In a nutshell, there are four defenses one can use to avoid the liability of intentional tort claims:
  • Self defense and defense of others.
  • Defense of property.
  • Consent.
  • Necessity.

What elements prove negligent infliction of emotional distress?

To recover for the negligent infliction of emotional distress, a plaintiff must prove that:
  • The defendant owed the plaintiff a duty;
  • The defendant negligently breached that duty; and.
  • The plaintiff suffered severe emotional distress as a result of the negligence.

What are defenses to intentional infliction of emotional distress?

Common Defenses to Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress Claims. Besides the fact that it is often difficult to prove IIED in the first place, there are two other common ways in which accused individuals are often protected: the statute of limitations and the First Amendment.

What is the difference between negligent and intentional infliction of emotional distress?

Unlike intentional infliction of emotional distress, in which intent is the central consideration, NIED assumes the defendant has a legal duty to use reasonable care with regard to the plaintiff. The scope of this legal duty -- and how a plaintiff's standing is determined -- is widely interpreted by the courts.

Are emotional distress damages compensatory?

Emotional distress damages are a subset of what are commonly called “compensatory damages.”

What is psychological distress?

Psychological distress refers to non-specific symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression. High levels of psychological distress are indicative of impaired mental health and may reflect common mental disorders, like depressive and anxiety disorders [1].

How do I know if I have emotional trauma?

Emotional Trauma Symptoms

Psychological Concerns: Anxiety and panic attacks, fear, anger, irritability, obsessions and compulsions, shock and disbelief, emotional numbing and detachment, depression, shame and guilt (especially if the person dealing with the trauma survived while others didn't)

What health problems can be caused by emotional stress?

But ongoing, chronic stress can cause or worsen many serious health problems, including:
  • Mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, and personality disorders.
  • Cardiovascular disease, including heart disease, high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms, heart attacks, and strokes.

How does anxiety cause distress?

But when the cognitive, physical and behavioural symptoms of anxiety are persistent and severe, and anxiety causes distress in a person's life to the point that it negatively affects his or her ability to work or study, socialize and manage daily tasks, it may be beyond the normal range.

How much compensation do you get for anxiety?

There is no set compensation payout that's awarded for a personal injury, including anxiety. Instead, compensation is calculated based on the type of injury and how severe it is, and the impact on the claimant's life. Also taken into account is if the injury has cost you financially.

How much can I claim for stress and inconvenience?

There is no hard and fast rule in respect of how much will be paid for distress and inconvenience claims. The level of damages awarded by the court is generally determined by the specific incident circumstances, the extent of inconvenience suffered by the policyholder and the duration of the inconvenience.