THE SEVERE EMOTIONAL DISTRESS ELEMENT OF INTENTIONAL INFLICTION OF EMOTIONAL DISTRESS DOES NOT REQUIRE OBJECTIVE MEDICAL EVIDENCE (FOURTH DEPT).
The Fourth Department, over a dissent, determined it was not necessary to present objective medical evidence to establish the severe emotional distress element of intentional infliction of emotional distress:
On appeal from an order and judgment that awarded plaintiff money damages following a nonjury trial, we reject defendants’ contention that the evidence is legally insufficient to establish that plaintiff suffered severe emotional distress. Although severe emotional distress is an element of the tort of intentional infliction of emotional distress … , Supreme Court properly concluded that plaintiff was not required to present objective medical evidence in order to establish that element of her cause of action … . Fellows v Rosati, 2019 NY Slip Op 03508, Fourth Dept 5-3-19