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Négligence, Victimes Indirectes Et Préjudice Moral En Common Law: Les Limites A La Réparation Se Justifient-Elles?, Louise Belanger-Hardy

Osgoode Hall Law Journal

Common law courts have traditionally been reluctant to award damages for emotional harm. This is particularly true in cases of secondary victims of negligence. Preoccupied by the fear of fraudulent claims or the danger of opening the floodgates, courts strive to limit the scope of liability in these circumstances. But how legitimate is the reasoning that has served to support such a restrictive analysis of the decision to award damages for emotional harm? The author explores the limitations of the Canadian courts' current approach and analyzes the basis of their concern. She concludes that not only do the beliefs espoused …