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Yes, you can sue for emotional distress in Washington, DC. If someone else’s negligence or behavior caused you to suffer significant psychological harm—such as anxiety, depression, or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)—you may have legal grounds to file a personal injury claim. Emotional distress lawsuits can arise from car accidents, medical errors, or other traumatic events that cause the injured victim to experience serious pain and suffering.
The personal injury lawyers at Regan Zambri Long have over two decades of experience representing clients across the District of Columbia. Our personal injury law firm is nationally recognized and locally known for securing multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements on behalf of injured individuals and their families.
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Emotional distress can take many forms. In Washington, DC, the courts recognize severe emotional distress as a legitimate harm in certain personal injury claims. That means you don’t need to have physical pain in every case. The victim’s suffering, mental anguish, and emotional turmoil must be serious and directly caused by someone else’s intentional or negligent act.
Accident victims often suffer from long-term psychological or mental pain, such as:
Anxiety or Depression: May include constant fear, difficulty sleeping, or feelings of hopelessness.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life: When trauma makes it difficult to take part in everyday activities.
Emotional Anguish: Overwhelming fear, humiliation, or grief due to the incident.
In many cases, emotional injuries affect work, school, relationships, and physical health. An experienced attorney will understand how these symptoms disrupt daily life. A skilled personal injury attorney will know how to present that impact to a jury or insurance company.
When emotional distress is legally actionable, it typically falls under one of two categories: intentional infliction of emotional distress (IIED) or negligent infliction of emotional distress (NIED). Both types of claims must meet specific legal standards to be considered valid in court.
Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (IIED): This occurs when someone deliberately engages in extreme or outrageous conduct to cause severe emotional distress. For example, a landlord deliberately shuts off a tenant’s heat during a freezing winter as punishment for complaining about building conditions. This causes the tenant severe emotional and physical distress.
DC law places specific requirements on these claims. For NIED, you often need to show either physical injury or that you were in the “zone of danger.” You must have feared for your own safety or closely witnessed harm to a loved one.
For IIED, the behavior must be extreme, shocking, and beyond what a civilized society tolerates. It is not enough that someone upset you. The act must have been so disturbing that it caused lasting emotional harm. A skilled lawyer for emotional distress can determine whether your situation meets these standards and guide you through the next steps.
Emotional distress claims can be difficult to prove. It is important to understand what courts typically look for. Whether your claim is based on intentional or negligent actions, you’ll need to demonstrate that the emotional harm was serious and directly caused by the defendant’s intentional or negligent behavior.
To support your case, strong evidence is key. That might include:
Therapist or Psychiatrist Testimony: Expert opinions linking your distress to the incident.
Personal Journal or Testimony: Your written or verbal account of how the trauma has affected you.
Witness Statements: Observations from family, friends, or coworkers about changes in your behavior.
Insurance companies often try to downplay the emotional harm people experience. Without a broken bone or visible scar, they may argue you’re exaggerating. That’s why having an experienced personal injury attorney matters. We know what to look for and how to prove the emotional harm you’ve endured.
In some cases, we work with medical professionals, economists, and vocational experts. We show how emotional distress has cost you in lost wages or career advancement. Even if you’re still working, emotional injuries can hold you back or affect your job performance.
In emotional distress cases, expert witnesses can be important in strengthening your emotional distress claim. The testimony of a qualified expert can help bridge the gap between your personal experience and the legal standards required to prove harm. These experts provide objective evaluations that support the severity and legitimacy of your emotional suffering.
These professionals may include:
Vocational Experts: Who can testify about how emotional distress affects your ability to earn a living.
Life Care Planners: Who can forecast the cost of future treatment and support needs.
By presenting this type of expert analysis, your attorney builds a compelling case. It helps juries and insurance adjusters understand the full impact of your emotional suffering.
Our firm has a strong record of success in emotional distress and personal injury claims. Our personal injury attorneys have achieved multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements. This includes $77 million for a client who suffered catastrophic injuries and death due to a landlord’s negligence and $19.5 million in a wrongful death lawsuit.
At Regan Zambri Long, our lawyers are not only experienced but highly respected by peers and clients. We have been named to Best Law Firms by U.S. News & World Report and are Board Certified in Civil Trial Advocacy. We take a personalized approach and fight hard for those whose lives have been upended by trauma. You don’t need to go through your pain and suffering alone.
Many clients choose our firm because we have the experience, reputation, and compassion they’re looking for. Our team understands the emotional toll an injury can take. We listen carefully, build strong cases, and push for the maximum compensation available under the law.
Emotional distress doesn’t always come from a violent or catastrophic accident. It can arise in many different situations. Types of personal injury cases that may result in emotional distress include:
Medical Malpractice: Misdiagnoses or surgical errors can leave patients traumatized or fearful of further care.
Assault or Abuse: Victims may experience flashbacks, shame, or depression.
Wrongful Death: Loved ones suffer intense grief and emotional pain.
Workplace Injuries: A serious on-the-job accident can cause both physical and mental trauma.
Some emotional distress claims also involve long-term caregiver stress. This is especially true in cases where a family member is now disabled or in need of permanent assistance. A qualified attorney can identify whether indirect trauma, such as witnessing a loved one suffer, is compensable in your case.
Emotional damages aim to make up for the harm you’ve suffered. Unlike monetary damages, such as medical expenses, non-monetary damages are harder to quantify. Emotional distress damages may include:
Loss of Emotional Enjoyment of Life: When the trauma changes your ability to live normally.
Therapy and Counseling Costs: Mental health treatment expenses.
Lost Income or Earning Potential: If emotional distress keeps you from working.
A trusted personal injury attorney is key to recovering emotional distress damages. We gather the evidence and expert opinions needed to show your mental suffering.
In the District of Columbia, emotional distress claims follow certain legal principles. Courts may require a physical injury in negligent cases. Or they may require a close personal relationship in claims involving harm to someone else. These rules affect whether your claim can move forward.
In DC, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims—including those for emotional distress—must be filed within three years of the date of the incident. If you wait too long, you may lose the right to seek compensation. Our experienced attorneys stay current on all relevant laws, precedents, and rulings in Washington, DC. That helps us build strong cases for our clients and avoid legal pitfalls.
A personal injury attorney at Regan Zambri Long will help by:
Evidence Gathering: We collect records, statements, and expert reports.
Negotiation: We speak with insurers and push for a fair settlement.
Litigation: If needed, we take your case to court.
Throughout the process, we keep you informed and involved. At Regan Zambri Long, every client is treated with respect and care. Our team includes compassionate professionals who understand how to create a safe, trusting environment.
You deserve a lawyer who not only knows the law but also listens and will fight for full compensation for your emotional distress claim.
We start with a free consultation. We’ll ask about what happened, your stress symptoms, and how the experience has affected your life. You don’t need to bring anything specific, but any medical records, prescriptions, or journal entries can be helpful.
We’ll explain whether your situation qualifies for an emotional distress claim. If we take your case, we’ll work on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing unless we win.
Our goal is to make the process as simple and supportive as possible. We know this is already a difficult time. Let us handle the legal work while you focus on healing.
You deserve to be heard. If you or someone you love is suffering because of someone else’s negligent behavior, reach out. The emotional distress lawyers at Regan Zambri Long Personal Injury Lawyers, PLLC are here to help.
We’ve secured millions for clients across Washington, DC—and we’re ready to work for you. Contact us today for a free consultation with an emotional distress attorney who knows how to fight for justice.
Have you or your loved one sustained injuries in Washington DC, Maryland or Virginia? Regan Zambri Long PLLC has the best lawyers in the country to analyze your case and answer the questions you may have.