Opinion ID: 2305543
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Robert's NIED Claim for Witnessing Barbara's Injuries

Text: [¶ 21] Robert contends that the court erred in concluding that he failed to establish he suffered serious emotional distress from witnessing Barbara's injuries. [¶ 22] Serious emotional distress exists where a reasonable person normally constituted, would be unable to adequately cope with the mental stress engendered by the circumstances of the event. Town of Stonington v. Galilean Gospel Temple, 1999 ME 2, ¶ 11, 722 A.2d 1269, 1272 (internal quotation marks omitted). [¶ 23] Robert received the maximum amount allowed by law for the grief he suffered as a result of his daughter's tragic death. In considering Robert's request for the additional emotional distress caused by observing his wife's injuries, the court found that the evidence was insufficient to establish the separate claim. We conclude that the evidence does not compel a different conclusion.