OLIVER Et Al. v. McDADE Et Al.

For over one hundred years, through the application of the “impact rule,” Georgia’s courts have rejected steadfastly attempts to award damages for the negligent infliction of emotional distress unaccompanied by physical injury. See OB-GYN Assoc. of Albany v. Littleton, 259 Ga. 663, 666 (2) (B) (386 SE2d 146) (1989) ("Littleton II"); Chapman v. Western Union Telegraph Co., 88 Ga. 763 (15 SE 901) (1892); Owens v. Gateway Mgmt. Co., 227 Ga. App. 815, 816 (490 SE2d 501) (1997). Today’s decision, under the guise of the “pecuniary loss” rule as applied in Nationwide Mut. Fire Ins. Co. v. Lam, 248…