Which of the following best describes a situation when a defendant is liable for negligent infliction of emotional distress?

In the context of negligent infliction of emotional distress, option C accurately captures the essence of a situation that could establish liability. This tort typically arises when a defendant's negligent conduct causes a plaintiff to suffer severe emotional distress, often stemming from an immediate threat to the plaintiff's safety or witness to some traumatic event.

In this scenario, when the plaintiff fears for their safety due to the defendant's actions, it illustrates a direct connection between the defendant's negligent behavior and the emotional distress experienced. For instance, if a defendant's reckless driving puts others in danger, and a nearby bystander fears for their life, that fear can be grounds for a claim of negligent infliction of emotional distress. The key factor here is that the emotional distress arises from a reasonable fear related to the defendant's negligent actions, which meets the legal standards for establishing liability.

The other choices fail to meet the necessary criteria for liability in this tort. A small accident generally does not rise to the level of inflicting emotional distress unless it involves more serious consequences or immediate threats. Feeling sad after witnessing an event lacks the requisite severity or connection to the defendant's actions for a claim to succeed. Lastly, a plaintiff's history of emotional issues does not inherently establish a basis for liability, as