What kind of conduct can lead to a successful claim for emotional distress?

A successful claim for emotional distress typically relies on the demonstration that the conduct in question was extreme and outrageous. This high threshold is established to ensure that only particularly severe behavior, which goes beyond the bounds of decency and is considered unacceptable in a civilized community, is actionable.

In legal terms, the conduct needs to be so egregious that it would likely cause a reasonable person to suffer severe emotional distress. Courts will often assess the context, frequency, and nature of the behavior in question. Examples could include intentional infliction of emotional distress, such as persistent harassment, threats of violence, or actions that lead to major humiliation or distress.

Normal workplace discussions, common misunderstandings, and routine disagreements, on the other hand, do not typically rise to the level of extremity needed for a claim. These types of interactions are generally considered a part of everyday life and are expected in various social settings, thus failing to meet the criteria of causing severe emotional harm.