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Simple English definitions for legal terms
emotional harm
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A quick definition of emotional harm:
Emotional harm, also known as emotional distress, is when someone's behavior causes another person to feel very bad emotions like sadness, fear, anger, or humiliation. This can be so severe that it can lead to mental suffering and pain. In some cases, if the emotional distress is extreme, the person who caused it can be held responsible and may have to pay damages. However, it's important to remember that some level of emotional distress is a normal part of life and only severe cases can be considered emotional harm.
A more thorough explanation:
Emotional harm, also known as emotional distress, is a highly unpleasant mental reaction that results from another person's conduct. It can include feelings of anguish, grief, fright, humiliation, or fury, and can cause emotional pain and suffering.
When emotional distress is severe enough, it can form a basis for the recovery of tort damages. This means that if someone causes you severe emotional distress, you may be able to sue them for compensation.
For example, if someone intentionally spreads false rumors about you that cause you to feel humiliated and ashamed, you may be able to sue them for emotional distress. Similarly, if a doctor negligently causes you to suffer a serious injury, and you experience emotional distress as a result, you may be able to sue them for compensation.
It's important to note that not all emotional distress is severe enough to warrant legal action. Some degree of transient and trivial emotional distress is a part of everyday life. The law only intervenes when the distress inflicted is so severe that no reasonable person could be expected to endure it.