MBE Rules · Torts
IIED
The rule
Extreme and outrageous conduct, intentionally or recklessly causing severe emotional distress. Conduct must exceed all bounds of decency. Bystander recovery requires presence, close family relationship, and defendant's knowledge of bystander's presence (or distress to third-party victim if intent transferred).
In plain English
IIED happens when someone does something really shocking on purpose or carelessly, and it causes someone else to suffer extreme emotional pain.
Worked example
The defendant sends a fake letter to the buyer saying their spouse has died. The buyer suffers severe emotional distress. This is IIED because the conduct was outrageous and caused emotional harm.
Memory hook
IIED: Intense Insults Evoke Distress. Outrageous acts must crush decency, causing serious distress.
The trap
Students think: Any distress suffices. Wrong, because distress must be severe. The actual test is extreme conduct causing significant emotional harm.
How examiners test it
MBE loves: insulting words alone. Trap: words rarely suffice without outrageous context or repeated harassment.
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