What is meant by "negligent infliction of emotional distress"?

Negligent infliction of emotional distress refers specifically to the situation where a person's negligent actions lead to emotional suffering or distress in another individual, even in the absence of physical injury. This tort recognizes that emotional harm can arise from careless behavior, particularly when the distress is severe and a reasonable connection exists between the negligent act and the emotional suffering experienced by the victim.

To establish a claim for negligent infliction of emotional distress, the plaintiff typically needs to prove that the defendant had a duty to act with reasonable care, that this duty was breached, and that the breach directly caused the emotional distress. This concept underscores the impact that negligent actions can have beyond mere physical harm, highlighting the importance of considering emotional well-being in tort law.

The other choices reflect misunderstandings of this concept. Direct physical harm causing emotional pain does not encapsulate the idea of negligence, as it emphasizes a direct injury rather than negligent behavior. The establishment of intent to harm someone emotionally refers more to intentional infliction of emotional distress, rather than negligent actions. Lastly, stating that this is only applicable to professional malpractice cases misrepresents the broader applicability of the tort to various situations beyond just professional contexts.