zone of danger rule (District of Columbia) · Go Syfert
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zone of danger rule in District of Columbia

14 District of Columbia opinions name it 1 courts 1988–2015 0 in the last five years

The cases below were cited by District of Columbia courts in a sentence that names this issue. Sides come from how each citing opinion treated the case (Syfertize flag on that citation), so a case can appear on both: that is where the law is contested. A red or yellow chip is the case's own overall treatment.

Followed or applied (4)

CaseFollowedCited
Williams v. Bakergreen
dc · 1990 · cited in 10 District of Columbia opinions naming this issue, 1991–2015
2 sentences

2015In Williams , however, we modified that doctrine, “adopting] the zone of danger rule which allows recovery for mental distress as long as the plaintiff was in the zone of physical danger and as a result feared for his or her own safety because of defendant’s negligence.” Id. at 1073 .

2015In Williams , we adopted the zone-of-danger rule, allowing plaintiffs to recover damages for emotional distress because we “recognize[d] that ‘a near miss may be as frightening as a direct hit.’ ” Hedgepeth, 22 A.3d at 811 (quoting Williams, 572 A.2d at 1067 ).

610
Jones v. Howard University, Inc.green
dc · 1991 · cited in 2 District of Columbia opinions naming this issue, 1994–2004
2 sentences

2004“In applying the zone of danger rule we recognize that its logic requires that the plaintiffs presence in the zone of danger be contemporaneous with her fear for her own safety.” Jones *827 v. Howard Univ., 589 A.2d 419, 423 (D.C.1991).

1994For instance, in Jones v. Howard University, 589 A.2d 419 (D.C.1991), we held that a plaintiff could maintain an action for negligently inflicted emotional distress in the absence of any physical injuries or physical manifestations, so long as the claimed emotional distress was both serious and verifiable.

12
Asuncion v. Columbia Hospital for Womengreen
dc · 1986 · cited in 1 District of Columbia opinions naming this issue, 1991–1991
1 sentence

1991See Asuncion, supra, 514 A.2d at 1188 ; Coughlin v. George Washington Univ.

11
Waube v. Warringtongreen
wis · 1935 · cited in 1 District of Columbia opinions naming this issue, 1990–1990
2 sentences

1990See Waube v. Warrington, 216 Wis. 603 , 258 N.W. 497 (1935); Resavage v. Davies, 199 Md. 479 , 86 A.2d 879 (1952). .

1990See Waube v. Warrington, 216 Wis. 603 , 258 N.W. 497 (1935); Resavage v. Davies, 199 Md. 479 , 86 A.2d 879 (1952). .

11

Distinguished, questioned or overruled (0)

CaseNegativeCited
No negative-treatment citations attached to this issue in District of Columbia. Read the followed side critically anyway.

Also cited on this issue (9)

CaseCitedYears
Hedgepeth v. Whitman Walker Clinic green
dc · 2011
2 sentences

2015In Williams , we adopted the zone-of-danger rule, allowing plaintiffs to recover damages for emotional distress because we “recognize[d] that ‘a near miss may be as frightening as a direct hit.’ ” Hedgepeth, 22 A.3d at 811 (quoting Williams, 572 A.2d at 1067 ).

2014More recently, in Hedgepeth, supra, 22 A.3d at 804 , we adopted a limited rule to supplement the zone of danger requirement set forth in Williams for instances where a party is not in danger of physical injury, but there are compelling policy reasons to permit recovery.

22014–2015
Consolidated Rail Corporation v. Gottshall green
scotus · 1994
2 sentences

1994(Emphasis added.) “[A]n emotional injury constitutes ‘injury’ resulting from the employer’s ‘negligence’ for purposes of FELA only if it would be compensable under the terms of the zone of danger test.” Id. at -, 114 S.Ct. at 2410 .

1994(Emphasis added.) “[A]n emotional injury constitutes ‘injury’ resulting from the employer’s ‘negligence’ for purposes of FELA only if it would be compensable under the terms of the zone of danger test.” Id. at -, 114 S.Ct. at 2410 .

21994–2011
Dillon v. Legg green
cal · 1968
2 sentences

2011The Court chose the “zone of danger” test from three possibilities: (1) the physical impact test; (2) the zone of danger test; and (3) the “relative bystander” test as articulated by the California Supreme Court in Dillon v. Legg, 69 Cal. Rptr. 72 , 441 P.2d at 920 .

2011The Court chose the “zone of danger” test from three possibilities: (1) the physical impact test; (2) the zone of danger test; and (3) the “relative bystander” test as articulated by the California Supreme Court in Dillon v. Legg, 69 Cal. Rptr. 72 , 441 P.2d at 920 .

21990–2011
Bovsun v. Sanperi green
ny · 1984
2 sentences

2011Id. at 1073 (quoting Bovsun, 473 N.Y.S.2d 357 , 461 N.E.2d at 848 ).

2011Id. at 1073 (quoting Bovsun, 473 N.Y.S.2d 357 , 461 N.E.2d at 848 ).

12011–2011
Hamilton v. Beretta U.S.A. Corp. green
ny · 2001
2 sentences

2005But we took pains to add that the driver's negligence "was not an intentional act," id. at 1291 , reflecting our awareness of how very different "the intervening act of another" was in Carlson, id. at 1290 , from the unforeseeable criminal actions of third parties in Potts, Bailey, and Clement . [8] Another way of viewing it, the court said, was that no evidence had been offered "tending to show to what degree [the plaintiffs'] risk of injury was enhanced by the presence of negligently marketed and distributed guns, as opposed to the risk presented by all guns in society." Hamilton, 727 N.Y.S.

2005But we took pains to add that the driver's negligence "was not an intentional act," id. at 1291 , reflecting our awareness of how very different "the intervening act of another" was in Carlson, id. at 1290 , from the unforeseeable criminal actions of third parties in Potts, Bailey, and Clement . [8] Another way of viewing it, the court said, was that no evidence had been offered "tending to show to what degree [the plaintiffs'] risk of injury was enhanced by the presence of negligently marketed and distributed guns, as opposed to the risk presented by all guns in society." Hamilton, 727 N.Y.S.

12005–2005
District of Columbia v. Carlson green
dc · 2002
2 sentences

2005But we took pains to add that the driver's negligence "was not an intentional act," id. at 1291 , reflecting our awareness of how very different "the intervening act of another" was in Carlson, id. at 1290 , from the unforeseeable criminal actions of third parties in Potts, Bailey, and Clement . [8] Another way of viewing it, the court said, was that no evidence had been offered "tending to show to what degree [the plaintiffs'] risk of injury was enhanced by the presence of negligently marketed and distributed guns, as opposed to the risk presented by all guns in society." Hamilton, 727 N.Y.S.

2005But we took pains to add that the driver's negligence "was not an intentional act," id. at 1291 , reflecting our awareness of how very different "the intervening act of another" was in Carlson, id. at 1290 , from the unforeseeable criminal actions of third parties in Potts, Bailey, and Clement . [8] Another way of viewing it, the court said, was that no evidence had been offered "tending to show to what degree [the plaintiffs'] risk of injury was enhanced by the presence of negligently marketed and distributed guns, as opposed to the risk presented by all guns in society." Hamilton, 727 N.Y.S.

12005–2005
Courtney v. St. Joseph Hospital green
illappct · 1986
2 sentences

1994Id. at-, 102 Ill.Dec. at 812 , 500 N.E.2d at 705 .

1994Id. at-, 102 Ill.Dec. at 812 , 500 N.E.2d at 705 .

11994–1994
Resavage v. Davies green
md · 1952
2 sentences

1990See Waube v. Warrington, 216 Wis. 603 , 258 N.W. 497 (1935); Resavage v. Davies, 199 Md. 479 , 86 A.2d 879 (1952). .

1990See Waube v. Warrington, 216 Wis. 603 , 258 N.W. 497 (1935); Resavage v. Davies, 199 Md. 479 , 86 A.2d 879 (1952). .

11990–1990
Cook v. Maier green
calctapp · 1939
2 sentences

1988We have, indeed, held that impact is not necessary (Cook v. Maier (1939) 33 Cal.App.2d 581, 584 , 92 P.2d 434 .) The zone-of-danger concept must, then, inevitably collapse because the only reason for the requirement of presence in that zone lies in the fact that one within it will fear the danger of impact.

1988We have, indeed, held that impact is not necessary (Cook v. Maier (1939) 33 Cal.App.2d 581, 584 , 92 P.2d 434 .) The zone-of-danger concept must, then, inevitably collapse because the only reason for the requirement of presence in that zone lies in the fact that one within it will fear the danger of impact.

11988–1988

Where else courts name it

NY 26 (1969–2025) PA 21 (1976–2022) IL 18 (1985–2021) DC 14 (1988–2015) AL 9 (1998–2012) OH 7 (1983–2023) MN 7 (1985–2013) LA 5 (1993–2021) UT 5 (1992–2024) NE 5 (1985–2024) CA 5 (1968–1989) NH 4 (1979–2003) TN 4 (1996–2017) CT 4 (1994–2017) MO 4 (1990–2008) VT 4 (2016–2025) IA 3 (1981–2025) DE 3 (1983–2025) OR 3 (1986–2016) ME 3 (1982–2015) TX 3 (1997–2016) MA 3 (1978–1998) GA 3 (2009–2012) NM 3 (1990–1996) MD 2 (1995–2012) ND 2 (1972–1988) WA 2 (2017–2025) HI 2 (1974–1992) CO 2 (1986–1996) KS 2 (1994–2008) NV 2 (1985–1998)

Opinions by the citing court's state. A doctrine retained in one state and abandoned in another shows up here as a year span that stalls.

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