What constitutes intentional infliction of emotional distress?

Intentional infliction of emotional distress is a tort that requires proof of extreme or outrageous conduct that results in severe emotional distress to the plaintiff. The conduct must go beyond the bounds of decency that society tolerates, and it is not enough for the behavior to be merely annoying or offensive. The threshold for what is considered "extreme or outrageous" is high, meaning that significant and noticeable harm must be inflicted.

For this tort to be established, the defendant's actions must be intentional or reckless, meaning they either aimed to cause distress or acted with disregard for a high probability of causing such distress. The resulting emotional distress must be severe—that is, it is beyond what a reasonable person could be expected to endure. This standard helps protect individuals from trivial claims while allowing legitimate grievances to be pursued.

Mild teasing or neglecting someone's feelings does not meet the severe threshold necessary for actionable claims under this tort, nor does accidental harm, as intentional infliction requires a deliberate or reckless act, not one that arises from carelessness or an accident. Thus, the key distinction in identifying intentional infliction of emotional distress lies in the severity and outrageous nature of the conduct involved.