What type of harm can a defendant be liable for under the foreseeability rule?

The foreseeability rule is an essential principle in tort law, particularly in negligence cases. It establishes that a defendant may be held liable for harm that could be reasonably anticipated as a consequence of their actions. This means that if a specific type of harm is predictable based on the defendant's conduct, they can be held accountable for that harm.

When determining liability, courts assess whether the harm was a foreseeable result of the defendant’s actions at the time those actions were taken. If the harm that occurred was something a reasonable person could have anticipated or foreseen, liability may arise.

For example, if someone negligently spills a liquid on a floor and a person slips and falls, it is foreseeable that a slip and fall could occur from such a spill. Therefore, the defendant could be responsible for any injuries resulting from that fall, as the potential for harm was a result of their negligent behavior.

The other options do not align with the concept of foreseeability as well. Limiting liability to only quantifiable economic loss or immediate physical injuries does not capture the broader scope of harm that can arise from negligent conduct. Additionally, stating that liability extends to any harm that arises from the defendant's conduct disregards the necessity that the harm must be foreseeable for liability to attach