Intentional infliction of emotional distress

Definition

Intentional infliction of emotional distress is a tort that occurs when one person intentionally causes severe emotional pain or distress to another through extreme and outrageous conduct. This tort requires the plaintiff to prove that the defendant's actions were not just inappropriate but also shocking enough to warrant a legal remedy, establishing a breach of the standard of care expected in society.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. To succeed in a claim for intentional infliction of emotional distress, the plaintiff must demonstrate that the defendant's conduct was extreme and outrageous, going beyond mere insults or threats.
2. The emotional distress caused must be severe, which often means that it results in physical symptoms or significant impairment in the plaintiff's ability to function in daily life.
3. The standard for determining whether conduct is outrageous is objective; courts consider how a reasonable person would view the behavior in question.
4. Defenses against claims of intentional infliction may include truth, consent, or claims that the plaintiff did not suffer severe distress.
5. This tort can be claimed in conjunction with other claims, such as assault or battery, when emotional distress is a component of the harm suffered.

Review Questions

• What are the key elements required to establish a case for intentional infliction of emotional distress?
  • To establish a case for intentional infliction of emotional distress, a plaintiff must prove that the defendant's conduct was extreme and outrageous, that it was intentional or reckless, and that it caused severe emotional distress. Additionally, the distress suffered must be more than trivial or transient; it should significantly impact the plaintiff's daily life. This means that simply experiencing upset feelings due to rude behavior does not suffice for a claim.
• How does outrageous conduct differ from ordinary insults in the context of intentional infliction of emotional distress claims?
  • Outrageous conduct differs from ordinary insults because it must reach a level that is considered shocking to a reasonable person. While insults may be hurtful or rude, they usually do not meet the threshold of being so extreme that they disrupt societal norms. For a claim of intentional infliction to succeed, the behavior must be beyond what is typically tolerated in civil discourse and cause significant emotional pain to the victim.
• Evaluate how courts determine whether a defendant's conduct qualifies as extreme and outrageous within intentional infliction of emotional distress cases.
  • Courts evaluate whether conduct qualifies as extreme and outrageous by considering societal standards and expectations of behavior. They look at factors such as the context of the actions, the relationship between parties, and any underlying motivations behind the conduct. For example, if actions are taken in retaliation or with malice, this might weigh in favor of finding them outrageous. Ultimately, courts apply an objective standard; they assess how a reasonable person would react to similar conduct to determine its extremity.

Related terms

Negligent infliction of emotional distress: A tort that occurs when a person suffers emotional distress due to another's negligent behavior, without requiring the outrageous conduct needed for intentional infliction.

Outrageous conduct: Behavior that is so extreme and outrageous that it exceeds the bounds of decency and shocks the conscience, forming the basis for claims like intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Intentional torts: A category of torts where the defendant's actions are intentionally directed at causing harm or injury to another person.