Legal Definitions - eggshell skull

Definition: "Eggshell skull" is a legal principle that states that a defendant is responsible for all damages caused by their actions, even if the plaintiff had a pre-existing condition that made them more susceptible to injury. This means that a defendant cannot use the plaintiff's vulnerability as a defense in a tort claim.

For example, if a person with a skull as thin as an eggshell is hit on the head by a falling object, the defendant would be liable for any resulting injuries, even if the average person would not have been injured by the same object.

This principle is based on the idea that a defendant must take their victim as they find them, and cannot use the plaintiff's unique characteristics as an excuse for their own negligence.