MrThickRopes
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Simple English definitions for legal terms
old-soldier's rule
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A quick definition of old-soldier's rule:
The old-soldier's rule, also known as the eggshell-skull rule, is a principle in tort law that states a defendant is responsible for all the harm caused by their negligent or intentional act, even if the harm is unforeseeable or uncommon. For example, if someone accidentally bumps into another person who happens to have a medical condition that makes them more susceptible to injury, the defendant is still responsible for all the harm caused, even if the harm would have been minor to someone else. This rule is also called the thin-skull rule or special-sensitivity rule.
A more thorough explanation:
The old-soldier's rule is a legal principle in tort law that states a defendant is responsible for all the damages caused by their negligent or intentional act, even if the plaintiff's reaction is unforeseeable or uncommon.
For example, if a person negligently bumps into another person who happens to be a hemophiliac, the negligent defendant is liable for all the injuries suffered by the hemophiliac, even if the harm to another person would have been minor.
This principle is also known as the eggshell-skull rule, thin-skull rule, special-sensitivity rule, or eggshell-plaintiff rule.
The old-soldier's rule is based on the idea that a defendant must take their victim as they find them, regardless of any pre-existing conditions or vulnerabilities. This rule ensures that defendants are held accountable for the full extent of the harm they cause, even if the harm is greater than they could have anticipated.