Opinion ID: 1904170
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: negligence and negligent infliction of emotional distress

Text: Rubin argues that the tort of negligent infliction of emotional distress may rest on the underlying tort of negligence where the sole harm suffered is emotional distress. We disagree. We stated in Packard v. Central Maine Power Co., 477 A.2d 264, 268 (Me. 1984) that no recovery can be had on a claim for infliction of emotional distress unless the defendant is found liable on the underlying tort. Contrary to Rubin's contention, mental distress is insufficient in and of itself to establish the harm necessary to make negligence actionable, without either accompanying physical consequences, or an independent underlying tort. See Prosser and Keeton on Torts, § 54, at 361-62 (5th ed.1984); 2 F. Harper & F. James, The Law of Torts § 18.4, at 1031-32 (1956) (mental or emotional distress standing alone will not constitute the kind of legal damage needed to support an action for negligence); see also Packard v. Central Maine Power Co., 477 A.2d at 268; Culbert v. Sampson's Supermarkets Inc., 444 A.2d 433 (Me.1982); Wallace v. Coca-Cola Bottling Plants, Inc., 269 A.2d 117 (1970); see generally Wing v. Morse, 300 A.2d 491 (Me.1973) (harm required as element of negligence). [5] Accordingly, the Superior Court justice did not err in dismissing the plaintiff's negligence claim absent the kind of harm necessary to establish that essential element of the cause of action. Furthermore, without an independent underlying tort, Rubin's claim for negligent infliction of emotional distress must also fail. See Packard v. Central Maine Power Co., 477 A.2d at 268.