Opinion ID: 2291751
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Emotional and Mental Distress

Text: Plaintiffs first contend that the trial court erred by dismissing their claim for damages for the defendants' negligent infliction of emotional and mental distress. We affirm the court's dismissal of the claim. Our review of the record as it appeared before the pretrial court reveals no factual basis for the individual plaintiffs to recover for any emotional or mental distress caused by the death of Mrs. Miller. Nor do the plaintiffs have any right of recovery for emotional and mental distress under section 2-804. The wrongful death act created a right of action where none may have existed at common law. Carrier v. Bornstein, 136 Me. 1, 2, 1 A.2d 219, 220 (1938). Statutes in derogation of the common law are strictly construed. Emery Waterhouse Co. v. Lea, 467 A.2d 986, 996 (Me.1983); Chase v. Town of Litchfield, 134 Me. 122, 129, 182 A. 921, 925 (1936). The injuries for which recoverable damages may be granted on a claim for wrongful death, as set forth in 18-A M.R.S.A. § 2-804(b) (Supp.1987), do not include emotional and mental distress. See Carrier v. Bornstein, 136 Me. at 2-3, 1 A.2d at 220 (denying damages for any distress of mind under 1933 version of the Act). On this record, the court properly dismissed plaintiffs' claim for damages based on the plaintiffs' emotional and mental distress because of the death of Therese Miller.