What is a necessary condition for a plaintiff to recover for IIED when a third party is harmed?

A plaintiff can recover for intentional infliction of emotional distress (IIED) concerning a third party's harm if they contemporaneously perceive the distressing conduct. This requirement emphasizes the need for the plaintiff to directly experience the emotional impact of the situation as it unfolds, reinforcing the notion that the harm done to the third party must be witnessed by the plaintiff to establish a valid claim.

Contemporaneous perception means that the plaintiff must be present and aware of the distressing act when it occurs, which helps to establish a direct link between the plaintiff's emotional distress and the conduct directed at the third party. This requirement exists because it aligns with the underlying principles of tort law that aim to ensure that emotional distress claims are grounded in direct experience rather than mere hearsay or secondary effects.

In the context of the other choices, they do not fulfill the legal standard needed for IIED claims involving a third party. A plaintiff’s status as a public figure does not inherently influence their ability to recover for emotional harm in these circumstances. Not having witnessed the conduct would prevent the plaintiff from having a direct emotional response, thus undermining the claim. Finally, having no personal connection to the third party does not preclude recovery as long as the plaintiff can still witness the conduct and