[lawgirl]

They legally can't. ;-D NOW they can let the emotions of the people influence how much money they give them (and that might be up to debate according to legal precedent) but they cannot legally say "we award damages for emotional distress." There are VERY strict precedents for rewarding "intentional infliction of emotional distress". Usually it is only allowed for seeing a close family member seriously injured/killed. While I count my cats and family dog as a member of the family, America's judicial system doesn't. ;-D

[TaZ]

"They legally can't. ;-D NOW they can let the emotions of the people influence how much money they give them (and that might be up to debate according to legal precedent) but they cannot legally say "we award damages for emotional distress." There are VERY strict precedents for rewarding "intentional infliction of emotional distress". Usually it is only allowed for seeing a close family member seriously injured/killed. While I count my cats and family dog as a member of the family, America's judicial system doesn't."

Have you ever filed a complaint?

I guess we have to see what complaint is filed on behalf of the family and if the judge allows it to stand.

[TaZ]

BTW, I run a legal newswire service that every major lawfirm in NYC subscribes to and I have personally seen "Infliction of emotional distress" cases filed for everything from an wrongful termination of employment contracts and landlords harassing tenants to wrongful arrests and securities fraud.

If the lawfirm representing add "intentional infliction of emotional distress" on as a count in the complaint, they are not doing their job.