What is the definition of "negligent infliction of emotional distress" in tort law?

The concept of "negligent infliction of emotional distress" in tort law is accurately defined as a tort that allows a person to recover damages for emotional distress caused by another's negligent conduct. This tort recognizes that emotional harm can be a legitimate injury when a person's negligence leads to extreme emotional suffering for another.

This form of recovery is particularly significant in situations where the claimant may not have suffered any physical injury, but their emotional well-being has been severely impacted by the negligent actions of another party. In many jurisdictions, the claimant may need to establish a close relationship to the negligent party or be in the zone of danger to bolster their claim, but the core principle remains that negligent behavior resulting in emotional distress can lead to legal liability.

Other options lack relevance to the definition of this tort. Physical damage claims focus solely on tangible injuries, thus are not applicable here. Claims based solely on intentional acts describe a different area of tort law that does not encompass negligence. Finally, contract violations pertain to breaches of agreements and do not involve tort actions related to emotional distress. Therefore, the first choice accurately captures the essence of negligent infliction of emotional distress within tort law.