Emotional distress lawsuits against hospitals are complex but possible if the distress resulted from extreme negligence or intentional misconduct. For example, if a hospital’s actions (such as wrongful death, severe birth injuries, or botched surgeries) caused lasting psychological trauma, you may have grounds for a claim. Courts typically require proof of severe emotional harm, such as PTSD, anxiety, or depression, supported by medical records and therapist evaluations. Some states allow “suing a hospital for emotional distress” claims if the plaintiff witnessed a loved one’s injury due to medical errors.