Why is the Jonestown morgue liable for Sadie's emotional distress?

The liability of the Jonestown morgue for Sadie's emotional distress is established through their failure to follow proper identification procedures. In tort law, particularly in cases involving emotional distress, the plaintiff must demonstrate that the defendant’s conduct was negligent and that it directly caused the emotional harm experienced.

In this circumstance, if the morgue did not appropriately identify Sadie's deceased relative, it could lead to a profound emotional impact on Sadie. This misidentification could be seen as a breach of duty, which is a key component of establishing negligence. The morgue's procedural missteps likely deviated from established standards that are expected in such sensitive and critical situations, making their actions extreme in the context of the emotional trauma caused.

Thus, the failure to properly identify the deceased not only constituted negligence but also directly resulted in Sadie's emotional distress, providing grounds for liability. The other options do not align with the reasoning required to establish liability in this context.