Can I sue an insurance company for emotional distress?

Asked by: Shawn Lueilwitz  |  Last update: September 13, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (45 votes)

Yes, you can sue for emotional distress under the common law standard, but it can be hard to prove. This is because you must show that the result of your claim denial caused you pain and suffering or emotional distress. This intangible loss can be more difficult to prove than, say, the cost of medical bills.

What is the most you can sue for emotional distress?

The second type of emotional distress claim is one that is worth more than $50,000 up to hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on the factual circumstances. You would need one or more medical opinions to support this claim and be prepared to have those medical advisors testify in court.

How can you prove emotional distress?

Gathering compelling evidence is fundamental to constructing a robust case for emotional distress. The documentation should encompass a comprehensive range of materials, including medical records, therapy or counseling records, eyewitness testimonies, and expert witness testimony.

When should you sue an insurance company?

You may be able to sue your insurance company for bad faith if they intentionally neglect to perform the duties necessary according to your policy. If the insurance company knows that the claim is valid but they deny it anyway, you may be able to sue for bad faith.

What is an example of suing for emotional distress?

Examples of Emotional Distress Lawsuits
  • Medical malpractice. A physician may cause emotional harm to a person if they engage in treatments or procedures that may not be appropriate for the situation. ...
  • Witnessing a wrongful death. ...
  • Emotional distress after a car accident. ...
  • Nursing home abuse. ...
  • Personal injury. ...
  • Wrongful arrest.

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45 related questions found

How hard is it to win an emotional distress case?

Challenges in proving emotional distress often stem from its invisible nature—unlike physical injuries, you can't show a scar or an X-ray of your pain. To build a strong case, plaintiffs need concrete proof that ties traumatic events directly to their mental suffering.

How likely is an insurance company to sue you?

While subrogation allows insurance providers to pursue third parties, an insurer usually cannot sue their policyholders. However, there are certain situations where an insurer may take legal action against its policyholder.

Do you have to have a lawyer to sue an insurance company?

If you've found yourself in this situation and are considering legal action, you might be wondering if you can sue an insurance company without hiring a lawyer. It is definitely possible, but it's essential to understand the potential challenges and complexities involved.

What is an example of negligence in insurance?

Negligence is an insurance term that is tied to various types of liability insurance, such as home, life, health, business, and auto. For example, perhaps a retail shop owner was negligent by leaving their water hose out after cleaning the sidewalk, causing a passerby to trip.

How to claim for emotional distress?

To support a personal injury claim for emotional distress, it is important that you can prove the occurrence of negligence. To do this, you should seek medical attention for your psychological damage and/or physical injuries and obtain a copy of the medical records produced.

How to quantify emotional distress damages?

Once the attorney has argued for emotional distress damages, he or she will then calculate a settlement amount using what's called a “multiplier method.” It works by adding up all the tangible or economic damages, like medical costs and lost wages, and then multiplying that sum by a given number, usually between 1.5 ...

How do you prove emotional stability?

Emotional stability can be evaluated through personality assessments that measure this trait (an individuals' ability to remain calm, balanced, and resilient under stress).

How much money is emotional distress worth?

Severe emotional distress: Settlements involving severe emotional distress, such as PTSD or ongoing mental health conditions that significantly impact daily life, can result in settlements of $100,000 or more.

How much compensation for distress and inconvenience?

The adjudicator will decide whether it's fair and reasonable to make an award for inconvenience and distress. They can make an award up to £2500, but most awards are between £100- £200.

What is the average payout for psychological damage?

The average PTSD settlement amount is often between $10,000 and $100,000. Factors that influence the amount include injury severity, loss of income, how fault is determined, and the impact of injuries on everyday life.

Why would someone sue an insurance company?

Third-Party Lawsuits

This proposition allows an individual or a business to file a third-party lawsuit against an insurance company for unfair claims practices in handling liability claims. (Liability insurance provides financial protection to individuals and businesses for harm that occurs to others.)

How to fight against insurance companies?

There are 2 ways to appeal a health plan decision:
  1. Internal appeal: If your claim is denied or your health insurance coverage canceled, you have the right to an internal appeal. ...
  2. External review: You have the right to take your appeal to an independent third party for review.

How long does it take to sue an insurance company?

If handled quickly, a civil case may be resolved in one year or less. A two-year lifespan is not uncommon for a civil injury case against a single defendant or against an insurance company. Sometimes lawsuits in civil court may last a few years if delays occur.

What happens if someone sues you and you have no money?

The plaintiff might attempt wage garnishment or bank account levies. Some defendants might be considered “judgment proof” if they have no assets. Possible Outcomes and Future Collection: Judgments remain active for several years and could be renewed.

Can I threaten my insurance company?

However, you should never threaten to harm an insurance adjuster or any employee of an insurance company.

What is a bad faith claim?

Looking for evidence that supports the insurance company's basis for denying a claim and ignoring evidence that supports the policyholder's basis for making a claim is considered bad faith. If an insurer fails to promptly reply to a policyholder's claim, that act of negligence, willful or not, is considered bad faith.

How do I get 100% disability for anxiety?

A 100 percent rating is warranted for generalized anxiety disorder with depression when there is total occupational and social impairment due to such symptoms as gross impairment in thought processes or communication; persistent delusions or hallucinations; grossly inappropriate behavior; persistent danger of hurting ...

How do I claim compensation for emotional distress?

According to Series 1600 of the Judicial Council of California Civil Jury Instructions, a jury can award a victim (plaintiff) financial damages for emotional distress alone if the plaintiff can prove that the defendant was negligent, that he or she suffered serious emotional distress, and that the defendant's ...

Do you get full pay for stress?

If sickness is caused by work

The same sick pay rules apply if sickness is caused by someone's work. For example, an employee is not entitled to extra sick pay if they get: an injury through an accident or negligence at work. a mental health condition caused by stress at work.