What is the thin skull rule?

The thin skull rule is a legal doctrine in personal injury law that holds a defendant responsible for all damages caused to a victim, even if the victim has a preexisting condition that makes them more vulnerable to injury than the average person. The principle behind the thin skull rule is that the defendant must take their victim as they find them, and cannot use the victim's preexisting condition as a defense to reduce their liability.

Defendant Responsibility

Under the thin skull rule, the defendant is held accountable for all the consequences of their actions, including any unforeseen and exacerbated effects on a particularly vulnerable victim.

Preexisting Condition

Regardless of whether the defendant was aware of the victim's preexisting condition, they are still legally responsible for the harm caused as a result of their actions.

Legal Liability

This legal principle ensures that defendants are held accountable for the full extent of the damages they cause, even if those damages are more severe due to the victim's unique vulnerabilities.