NEGLIGENT INFLICTION OF EMOTIONAL DISTRESS

negligent infliction of emotional distress.The tort of causing another severe emotional distress through one’s negligent conduct. • Most courts will allow a plaintiff to recover damages for emotional distress if the defendant’s conduct results in physical contact with the plaintiff or, when no contact occurs, if the plaintiff is in the zone of danger. See EMOTIONAL DISTRESS; ZONE-OF-DANGER RULE. Cf. INTENTIONAL INFLICTION OF EMOTIONAL DISTRESS.

— Abbr. NIED. [Cases: Damages 49.10. C.J.S. Damages § 95; Torts §§ 67, 76–79, 82–83.]

[Blacks Law 8th]