Define: Mental Suffering

Mental suffering, also known as emotional distress, is a legal concept referring to the psychological harm or anguish experienced by an individual as a result of another party’s wrongful actions. It encompasses a wide range of negative emotions, such as anxiety, fear, humiliation, and depression, that may result from various forms of misconduct, including intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, defamation, or invasion of privacy. In civil lawsuits, individuals may seek compensation for mental suffering as part of damages claims, typically in cases involving personal injury, harassment, discrimination, or other forms of wrongful conduct. To recover damages for mental suffering, plaintiffs must provide evidence demonstrating the severity and impact of the emotional distress caused by the defendant’s actions.

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This glossary post was last updated: 29th March 2024.