An unintentional act causing mental anguish that results in physical injury describes which tort?

• A. Public invitee
• B. Negligent infliction of emotional distress
• C. Intentional infliction of emotional distress
• D. Battery

Answer: (B)

The idea being tested is distinguishing negligent from intentional emotional distress. When an unintentional (negligent) act causes someone to suffer mental anguish and that distress results in physical injury, the tort is negligent infliction of emotional distress. The key is lack of intent—the actor didn’t mean to cause distress, but their careless conduct created the risk of harm. This fits because the harm arises from negligence, not from an intentional act. An intentional act would be intentional infliction of emotional distress, which requires intent or extreme outrageous conduct. Battery involves intentional harmful or offensive contact leading to physical injury, not just emotional distress. A public invitee describes a category for duty owed by landowners, not the tort itself.