Dillon v. Legg

Dillon v. Legg is a landmark legal case that established when a person can claim damages for emotional distress caused by witnessing harm to a loved one. The court ruled that a plaintiff can recover damages if they were present near the scene of the accident, knew or should have known their loved one was injured or in peril, and personally experienced emotional trauma. This case expanded the scope of recoverable damages in negligence cases, recognizing emotional injury as a valid claim when certain proximity and perception criteria are met.