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Emotional Distress Case Study

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The fourth element for the tort of intentional infliction of emotional distress is the requirement that emotional distress must be severe. Comment j of Section 46 of the Restatement, elaborates on this requirement: It is only where it is extreme that the liability arises. Complete emotional tranquillity is seldom attainable in this world, and some degree of transient and trivial emotional distress is a part of the price of living among people. The law intervenes only where the distress inflicted is so severe that no reasonable man could be expected to endure it. In the controlling case, Jones v. Harris, 35 Md. App. 556, 371 A.2d 1104 (1977), the court held that fourth element of the tort that the emotional distress must be severe was not established by legally sufficient evidence justifying submission of the case to the jury. That element of the tort requires the plaintiff to show that he suffered a severely disabling emotional response to the defendant’s conduct. The severity of the emotional distress is not only relevant to the amount of recovery but is a necessary element to any recovery. The court ruled that held …show more content…

Ford Motor Credit Co., 502 A. 2d 1057 - Md: Court of Special Appeals 1986, The plaintiffs, debtors filed an action for intentional infliction of emotional distress, among other counts, against defendant creditors. The evidence which the plaintiffs presented consisted of a wide array of objectionable and harassing conduct, including persistent phone calls, one allegedly late at night, threats to sue, threats to ruin the plaintiff’s credit, and threats to attach the plaintiff’s house and property. One of the plaintiffs produced evidence that she was upset, that she had difficulty sleeping, and that she was embarrassed. However, the court held that to sustain an action for intentional infliction of emotional distress, one must suffer an emotional response so acute that no reasonable person could be expected to endure

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