JD Next Practice Exam

Negligent infliction of emotional distress refers to a legal claim arising when an individual suffers severe emotional injury due to the negligent actions of another person. This area of law recognizes that emotional harm can be a legitimate injury, not just physical harm, and it may occur even when there is no direct physical injury to the victim.

To successfully prove a claim for negligent infliction of emotional distress, the plaintiff typically must show that the defendant's conduct was not only negligent but also that it caused them to experience significant emotional distress, and that such distress was foreseeable as a result of the defendant's actions. This framework is grounded in the idea that negligent actions can lead to emotional suffering, warranting legal recourse for the affected individual.

The other options reflect different legal concepts. Defamation involves making false statements about someone that damage their reputation, which is distinct from emotional harm due to negligence. Criminal offenses related to emotional harm pertain to acts that are criminal in nature, rather than civil claims like emotional distress. Claims for intentional emotional harm involve purposeful actions designed to cause emotional suffering, differing from the negligent aspect that is fundamental to the correct answer.