Hunsley v. Giard

This case concerns the right to recover for injuries, physical and mental, resulting from the negligent infliction of mental distress. The injuries for which recovery is sought resulted from an invasion of plaintiff’s home by the defendants’ car, but without immediate physical impact to her and outside of her immediate presence. The trial court entered judgment upon a jury verdict for the defendants. We reverse and order a new trial.

On a March day, the plaintiff was sitting in her living room reading the evening paper when she heard a “rather explosive sound.” Her husband was in an adjoining…