What constitutes negligent infliction of emotional distress?

Negligent infliction of emotional distress involves a situation where a person experiences emotional distress due to another's negligent actions, rather than intentional harm. This type of claim arises when an individual suffers emotional injuries as a direct result of someone else's carelessness or failure to act reasonably, which leads to foreseeable distress.

For instance, if a driver neglects safety rules and causes an accident that leaves a bystander emotionally traumatized, the emotional distress can be attributed to the negligent behavior of the driver.

In this context, the focus is on the lack of reasonable care and how that negligence results in emotional harm, differentiating it from cases where harm is caused intentionally or through actions that result in physical harm leading to emotional distress. Understanding this distinction is crucial for recognizing the conditions under which a claim for negligent infliction of emotional distress can be made.