PERSONAL INJURY: Trial court denies defendant’s motion to strike plaintiffs’ claim for negligent infliction of emotional distress

The plaintiffs brought action for negligent infliction of emotional distress against a daycare provider after their two-year-old child suffered physical and psychological abuse at the hands of the defendant’s employee.  The plaintiffs claimed emotional distress as to themselves, not the child.  The defendant moved to strike, arguing that the only claim for emotional distress to a third party recognized in Connecticut is for bystander distress, and the plaintiffs claim did not satisfy all of the elements for bystander distress.

The Court, in denying the motion to strike, applied the direct duty approach.  It held that the defendant had a legal duty to report the abuse to the child’s parents and that this established a direct claim for emotional distress.

Evan Zandonella PPA Wilder and Nicholas Zandonella, et al v. Stork Club, Inc. No. CV 18-6086025-S (09/04/2018)