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Legal Memorandum on Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress

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Memorandum of Law

Statement of Assignment: You have asked me to prepare a legal memorandum on the question of whether our client can gain relief from intentional infliction of emotional distress occurring from witnessing a friend¡¦s child being injured by a vehicle that is out of control due to being driven at a high rate of speed through a school zone. Pursuant to your request, this memo includes an analysis of the relevant state and federal law.

Issue: Under Kentucky tort law, does intentional infliction of emotional distress occur when a person suffers severe insomnia and anxiety as a result of witnessing a friend¡¦s child being injured by a vehicle that is out of control due to being driven at a high rate …show more content…

She noticed that the car involved was local Bob Barton¡¦s who had had several complaints and speeding tickets against his behavior. After recognizing the car, Ida then noticed that two children playing on the seesaw were injured, one of whom is her best friend, Karen¡¦s son, Tim. Upon realizing this she became extremely upset and has since suffered from severe insomnia and extreme anxiety. Her doctor prescribed medication for her nerves and to help her sleep, and he recently referred her to a psychologist.

Analysis:

The issue in this case as it relates to the Kentucky tort of negligence is governed by rules or principles established by the courts. The elements of negligence are a duty the defendant owes to the plaintiff, a breach of that duty by the defendant, a causal connection between the breach and the plaintiff's injury, and actual injury. In the absence of any one of these elements, no cause of action for negligence will lie.

The relevant case law for this situation comes from several cases from Kentucky: 761 S.W.2d 625, 597 S.W.2d 141, 147 S.W. 742, 112 S.W. 600, and 77 S.W. 361 among others. However, those are the only cases that will be discussed. They are substantially relevant to our situation and provide a clear picture as to the route we should take in regards to Ms. Carry.<p>,,&#177; Wilhoite v. Cobb, 761 S.W.2d 625 (Ky. Ct. App.

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