Mental anguish lawsuit or Intentional infliction of emotional distress
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Mental anguish lawsuit or Intentional infliction of emotional distress
I was involved in a traumatic, abusive relationship for 7 months in Massachusetts
in 2012. Because of the relationship I became severely mentally ill and am still ill
and receiving Social Security disability. I’ve been unable to work full time since
2013. Would I be able to file a lawsuit, either Mental anguish lawsuit or
Intentional infliction of emotional distress, against my abuser? Could I at least
file a report with the local police department?
Asked on August 14, 2019 under Personal Injury, Texas
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 4 years ago | Contributor
There is no lawsuit (or charges) for emotion abuse which is not the result of or coupled with physical abuse or harm or some other inherently illegal behavior (e.g. extortion). That is because the law does not regulate how one person interacts with or treats another person in the absence of physical harm or criminal acts. The law presumes that if a person is in a bad relationship, being treated badly by, etc. another person, he or she, as a free adult, will leave and not interact with that person any longer; if the person refuses to leave and continues to voluntarily (and in the law's eyes, if not held there by illegal threats of violence, etc., it is voluntary to stay) remain in assocation with that other person, he or she cannot later sue for consequences of his or her voluntarily choice an actions.
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