What does IIED stand for in legal terms?

The correct answer, "Intentionally Inflicted Emotional Distress," refers to a tort that allows a person to recover damages when another person’s outrageous, intentional conduct causes severe emotional distress. In the context of this tort, the conduct must be extreme and outrageous, transcending the bounds of decency, which a civilized society would not tolerate.

To prevail in a claim for IIED, the plaintiff typically must demonstrate that the defendant acted with the intention to cause emotional distress or with reckless disregard for the likelihood of causing such distress. The emotional distress suffered must be severe, not just moderate or trivial, emphasizing the significant impact that the defendant's actions had on the victim's mental state.

Understanding IIED is crucial in tort law as it highlights the legal system's recognition of emotional harm alongside physical harm, demonstrating the importance of protecting individuals from severe emotional effects resulting from another's wrongful acts.