What does "negligent infliction of emotional distress" mean?

"Negligent infliction of emotional distress" refers to a legal claim that emerges when one person's negligent actions lead to emotional harm to another person. This concept recognizes that emotional distress can be a legitimate concern arising from someone's failure to exercise the appropriate level of care, which results in mental suffering. In legal terms, it allows a party to seek damages for emotional injuries caused by another's negligent conduct, without the need for a physical injury to be present.

This claim often arises in scenarios such as witnessing a traumatic event due to someone else's negligence or being directly affected by negligent behavior. It emphasizes the importance of acknowledging emotional harm as a serious consequence of negligent actions, thereby holding individuals accountable for the broader implications of their behavior on others' mental well-being.

The other options do not accurately capture the legal definition and implications of negligent infliction of emotional distress. For instance, while emotional abuse may bear some resemblance to this concept, it does not constitute a criminal charge nor does it involve negligence. Instead, it pertains more to relational dynamics and intentional harm rather than the negligence required for a successful claim in this area of law. Further, compensation for mental health issues may result from a claim under negligent infliction, but it does not define the claim itself