Macon v. State

37 Ill. Ct. Cl. 326, 1985 Ill. Ct. Cl. LEXIS 30

Opinion

Montana, C.J.

This cause having come for consideration on the Respondent’s motion to dismiss and the Court being duly advised in the premises:

Finds, that Claimant’s complaint states that the negligence of the Illinois Department of Corrections resulted in his not being allowed to attend his mother’s funeral. He seeks $15,000.00 as compensation for mental suffering. Respondent has moved to dismiss the complaint for failure to state a cause of action.

While Claimant’s complaint does allege mental suffering, it does not allege any physical impact or symptom as a result thereof. No recovery may be had for the negligent infliction of mental distress, absent some physical manifestation of the distress. See Daniels v. Adkins Protective Service, Inc. (Miss. 1971), 247 So. 2d 710 (no recovery from mental distress absent physical injury or physical manifestation of distress).

Further, the granting of a funeral furlough is a matter of administrative discretion. Based upon Claimant’s record compiled during his incarceration, it cannot be said that the discretion of the Department of Corrections was abused. Hence, this Court will not review the exercise of such discretion. Holmes v. State (1978), 32 Ill. Ct. Cl. 275.