What does the term "eggshell plaintiff" refer to in legal context?

The term "eggshell plaintiff" refers to a plaintiff who has sustained unexpected injuries, often because they had a pre-existing condition or vulnerability that made them more susceptible to injury than an average person. This principle highlights the idea that a defendant is liable for the full extent of a plaintiff's injuries, even if those injuries are more severe than what would typically be expected from the defendant's actions.

In tort law, the "eggshell plaintiff" rule establishes that defendants must take their victims as they find them. Thus, if an injury occurs to a plaintiff who has an underlying condition that the defendant was unaware of, the defendant is still fully responsible for the resulting damages. This underscores the importance of considering the unique circumstances of each case and reinforcing the notion of taking full responsibility for one's actions, regardless of the victim's condition.

The other options do not capture the essence of the "eggshell plaintiff" doctrine; for example, the idea of a plaintiff unable to recover damages does not align with this doctrine, which focuses on the right to recover despite the unexpected severity of injuries. Similarly, while major injuries requiring significant compensation may sometimes pertain to an eggshell plaintiff, the term specifically emphasizes the element of unexpectedness tied to a pre-existing