In California personal injury cases, the foreseeability of the type of plaintiff’s injuries is a critical component in determining whether the defendant can be held liable. Foreseeability does not require the defendant to predict the precise extent or nature of the injury, only that some type of harm was a probable consequence of their actions. For example, if a person negligently causes a car accident, it is foreseeable that the collision could lead to physical injury, even if the exact injuries—such as a broken bone or soft tissue damage—are not specifically anticipated. As long as the defendant’s actions created a risk of harm to the plaintiff, the defendant may be held responsible for any resulting injury, even if it is more severe than what would be typical.
Under the eggshell plaintiff rule, a defendant is still fully liable for the injuries to a plaintiff, even if the plaintiff has a pre-existing condition or is particularly vulnerable, making the injuries more severe than what would typically occur. California follows this principle, meaning that if the defendant’s negligence causes harm to the plaintiff, the defendant is liable for the full extent of the injuries, regardless of whether the plaintiff was more susceptible to injury than an average person. For example, if a defendant’s negligent actions cause a relatively minor injury to someone with a pre-existing medical condition that leads to more serious harm, the defendant is still responsible for the full extent of the injury. This rule ensures that negligent defendants cannot avoid liability by arguing that the plaintiff was unusually vulnerable or had a condition that made the injuries more severe than anticipated.
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