Voorhees v. Preferred Mutual Insurance

The opinion of the Court was delivered by

GARIBALDI, J.

The primary issue in this appeal is whether a homeowner’s insurance policy providing coverage for bodily injuries caused by the insured will cover liability for emotional distress accompanied by physical manifestations. We hold that it will. Further, we hold that the event causing the distress will be deemed an accidental occurrence entitling the insured to coverage when the insured’s actions, although intentional, were not intentionally injurious.

I

In the underlying suit, filed in 1985, Eileen Voorhees was sued by her child’s teacher for…