zone of dan·ger: the area within which one is in actual physical peril from the negligent conduct of another person
◇ Some jurisdictions require that a bystander who witnesses a direct injury to another can only recover for negligent infliction of emotional distress if he or she was also in the zone of danger—that is, in actual danger of physical injury.
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam-Webster. 1996.