The zone of danger rule is a legal doctrine in tort law that limits the liability of persons accused of negligent infliction of emotional distress (NIED). Under this rule, plaintiffs may only recover damages for NIED if they were:
- Placed in immediate risk of physical harm by the defendant’s negligence and
- Frightened by the risk of harm.
This principle was established in cases such as Consolidated Rail Corp. v. Gottshall, 512 U.S. 532, 548 (1994). The specific application of the zone of danger rule may vary by state, potentially including additional elements that further limit the right of recovery.
See also:
[Last updated in July of 2024 by the Wex Definitions Team]