Opinion ID: 2972067
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Mental Distress

Text: “Generally, this circuit allows damages for emotional distress to be awarded upon a showing of intimidation, marital problems, weight loss, loss of sleep, shock, or humiliation.” Thompson v. Office and Prof’l Employees Intern. Union, AFL-CIO, 74 F.3d 1492, 1508 (6th Cir. 1996) (internal quote omitted). A claim of emotional distress resulting from a LMRDA violation must be supported by physical manifestations – actual injury is a required element. Petramale v. Local No. 17 of Laborers’ Intern. Union of N. Am., 847 F.2d 1009, 1012 (2d Cir. 1988). In Petramale the plaintiff’s claims that he was “moody and argumentative; [that] he and his wife quarreled;” and that he was “nervous and unable to sleep at night” were sufficient to allow a jury verdict. Id. Hrometz offers similar proof here, claiming he became difficult to live with, and -6- No. 03-4431 Hrometz v. Int’l Assoc. of Bridge that he suffered anxiety which resulted in insomnia and lost sleep. However, he has not visited a doctor for psychiatric treatment or for his sleep loss, and offers only his own testimony that he has suffered these ailments. Unlike the plaintiffs in Thompson and Petramale, Hrometz has not presented corroborating evidence. Therefore, Hrometz has not raised sufficient questions of fact to overcome the motion for summary judgment.