What does "negligent infliction of emotional distress" refer to?

Negligent infliction of emotional distress specifically refers to a legal claim that arises from mental suffering inflicted on an individual due to another person's negligence. This type of claim is founded on the premise that while physical harm was not directly caused, the emotional trauma resulting from negligent actions can be substantial and warrant legal remedy.

In legal practice, this typically involves situations where a plaintiff witnesses a traumatic event or arrives on the scene of an accident caused by another's negligent behavior and suffers emotional distress as a result. The core of the claim is that the emotional harm was not an intended consequence of the defendant's actions but rather a byproduct of their negligent conduct, leading to significant psychological impact on the victim.

Understanding this distinction is crucial, as it underscores the different bases for emotional distress claims—negligent versus intentional—highlighting how negligence can lead to profound psychological harm even in the absence of physical injury.